The author lays out a multi-phase investment plan for Trump’s announced Venezuela oil rebuild, with oilfield services first, Chevron next, and ExxonMobil/ConocoPhillips as optional upside, and says he is positioned accordingly.
SLB — LONG Schlumberger is a Phase 1 beneficiary because a Venezuela rebuild starts with workovers on shut-in wells, pipeline repairs, upgraders and export terminals, and oilfield services get short contracts, fast cash flow and low political risk. The catalyst is Trump’s stated plan to rebuild Venezuela’s oil infrastructure with a US group. The author acknowledges the timing may be premature or already reflected in premarket moves.
Oilfield services get paid first
HAL — LONG Halliburton is one of the author’s Phase 1 oilfield services picks because repair work on shut-in wells, pipelines and heavy crude upgraders creates short contracts and fast cash flow with low political risk. The rebuild of Venezuelan oil infrastructure is the catalyst. The author notes the trade may be premature or already reflected in premarket moves.
Oilfield services get paid first
BKR — LONG Baker Hughes is a Phase 1 oilfield services pick because the rebuild begins with well workovers, pipeline repairs, heavy crude upgraders and export terminal restoration, sectors that get short contracts, fast cash flow and low political risk. The catalyst is the US-led Venezuela oil infrastructure rebuild. The author acknowledges timing uncertainty or that premarket moves may already reflect it.
Oilfield services get paid first
CVX — LONG Chevron is the Phase 2 pick because it accepted minority stakes and stayed operational after the 2007 expropriations, so it already has licenses and assets as Venezuela reopens. The rebuild starts with repairs and then benefits operators with existing positions. The author treats Chevron as a core beneficiary after oilfield services, though timing may be premature or already priced in.
Chevron benefits next
COP — LONG ConocoPhillips is a Phase 3 re-entry candidate that refused to cede majority ownership in 2007, was expropriated, and could re-enter under legal guarantees or be repaid by grants for rebuilding. The author views it as optional upside rather than the core play and is uncertain how it will react. The catalyst is Trump’s rebuild plan and potential settlement conditions.
Exxon and Conoco are optional upside, not the core play
XOM — LONG ExxonMobil is a Phase 3 re-entry candidate: it refused to cede majority ownership in 2007, was expropriated, and could re-enter under long-term legal certainty or be repaid by grants for rebuilding. The author views it as optional upside, not the core play, and is unsure how it will react. The catalyst is Trump’s Venezuela rebuild and potential settlement conditions.
Exxon and Conoco are optional upside, not the core play