Exxon Takes Long View on Venezuela, CEO Says

Watch on YouTube ↗  |  January 09, 2026 at 21:25  |  1:32  |  Bloomberg Markets
Speakers
Darren Woods — CEO, ExxonMobil

Summary

Exxon Mobil CEO Darren Woods discusses the company's long-term interest in Venezuela after a White House meeting with President Donald Trump. Woods says the oil industry is a depletion business with a product in strong demand for decades, and Venezuela offers abundant resources but requires development. He stresses that Exxon takes a multi-decade investment view and would need a win-win-win value proposition for the company, government, and local people.

  • Exxon Mobil CEO Darren Woods says Venezuela is a key area of interest after a White House meeting.
  • Woods describes oil as a product in great demand for many decades and the industry as a depletion business.
  • He says Venezuela has abundant resources, with the main challenge being development rather than discovery.
  • Woods says Exxon takes a long-term, multi-decade approach to country entries and investments.
  • He says any opportunity must be a win for Exxon and shareholders, the government, and the people.
  • No concrete Venezuela investment or deal was announced.
  • Market implication: Exxon's potential Venezuela exposure remains a long-term watch item.
Ideas
Darren Woods CEO, ExxonMobil 0:00
Long-term Venezuela opportunity under review
Woods says Exxon Mobil has a long-term interest in Venezuela because the country has abundant oil resources, and Exxon evaluates such opportunities with a multi-decade investment horizon. He cautions that any investment must satisfy a win-win-win value proposition for Exxon and its shareholders, the Venezuelan government, and local people, so the opportunity remains a developing setup rather than a confirmed investment.
Darren Woods CEO, ExxonMobil 0:09
Oil demand remains strong for decades
Woods argues the oil industry is a depletion business facing a product that is in great demand and will remain in demand for many decades. That long-lived demand, combined with the need to continually replace depleting resources, supports the strategic value of large resource opportunities such as Venezuela.
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