Former Chevron Executive Seeks $2 Billion to Revive Venezuelan Oil After U.S. Takeover

BY COMFORT OGBONNA

A former senior executive at Chevron, Ali Moshiri, is seeking to raise $2 billion to invest in Venezuelan oil projects following dramatic political developments that have thrust the country’s vast energy resources back into the global spotlight. According to a report published on Monday, the fundraising effort comes after the United States captured Venezuela’s leader Nicolás Maduro and President Donald Trump declared that Washington would take control of the oil-rich nation.

Moshiri, who previously played a key role in Chevron’s international operations, is leading the initiative through his investment fund, Amos Global Energy Management. He told the Financial Times that the firm has already identified several promising Venezuelan oil assets and has begun discussions with institutional investors over a private placement aimed at jump-starting large-scale investment in the country’s long-neglected energy sector.

Investor interest has surged sharply in a matter of hours, reflecting how quickly sentiment toward Venezuela has shifted after years of sanctions, political isolation, and economic collapse. “I’ve had a dozen calls over the past 24 hours from potential investors. Interest in Venezuela has gone from zero to 99 percent,” Moshiri was quoted as saying, underscoring the sudden rush to gain exposure to what is believed to be the world’s largest proven crude reserves.

The renewed focus on Venezuela’s oil industry was amplified by President Trump’s comments shortly after the capture of the Venezuelan leader. Trump said American oil companies were ready to spend billions of dollars to restore the country’s crude production capacity, which has fallen sharply over the past decade due to underinvestment, mismanagement, and international sanctions. A recovery in Venezuelan output could have far-reaching implications for global energy markets, potentially boosting global economic growth by increasing supply and easing pressure on oil prices.

Venezuela’s oil infrastructure is widely seen as being in a state of disrepair, meaning that any meaningful rebound in production would require substantial capital, advanced technology, and operational expertise. Industry analysts say that while investor enthusiasm has returned quickly, translating that interest into actual barrels of oil will take time and sustained political stability.

Amos Global Energy Management did not immediately issue a public comment on the report, but the firm’s push highlights how swiftly geopolitical shifts can reshape investment landscapes. If successful, Moshiri’s fundraising effort could place his firm among the first movers in what may become a major reopening of Venezuela’s oil sector to U.S. and international capital.