The tanker Angerona, a Marshall Islands vessel owned by Trafigura, docked on Tuesday at the port of Corpus Christi in Texas. This tanker, built in 2008, has been specifically highlighted as part of the U.S. marketing strategy for Venezuelan oil.
Details of the Oil Shipment
According to historical AIS data, this tanker last stopped in Venezuela four months ago and has since been active in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Caribbean. At the port of Corpus Christi, these types of tankers are typically used to transfer oil to or from larger tankers in more distant areas.
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At the event, Donald Trump, the President of the United States, mentioned the presence of this tanker and said, "Do you see that little ship over there?" He added, "This ship has one million barrels of oil from Venezuela. We are celebrating the biggest oil victory in history." He also hinted at the possibility of Venezuela becoming the 51st state of the United States.
Impacts on Oil Market and International Relations
Oils imported from Venezuela to the United States are purchased commercially. This comes as these purchases have continued before and after the ousting of Nicolás Maduro, the former dictator of Venezuela. An agreement signed by the Trump administration in August with Alexander Betancourt, a Venezuelan trader, allows the United States to access oil from this company at a lower price. According to details of a sensitive contract obtained, the United States will be able to purchase one-fifth of the oil production from this partnership at $30 per barrel, which is equivalent to a 75% discount from current prices.
These developments regarding Venezuelan oil indicate significant changes in U.S. energy policies and their impacts on international relations. While the United States is striving to access Venezuelan oil resources, this action may lead to increased tensions in relations with other countries.
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