Why Venezuela's Heavy Crude Oil Matters To America's Gasoline Needs

While Washington frames its Venezuela policy as strategic and political, energy economics may be at the core. The United States largely produces light shale oil, which is easier to extract but not ideal for many American refineries built decades ago. Those refineries were designed to process heavy crude — the kind found in abundance in Venezuela. Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, estimated at over 300 billion barrels, much of it thick, heavy crude that US infrastructure is already configured to handle. Heavy crude yields more gasoline and diesel — fuels that power everyday American life. With shipping routes well established and refining capacity aligned, the issue appears less about drilling more oil and more about securing the right kind of oil. For Washington, Venezuela’s heavy crude could be key to keeping US refineries and fuel supplies running. #CaracasExplosions #VenezuelaBlasts #USVenezuelaTension #USNews #DonaldTrump #Maduro #VenezuelanPresidentMaduro #NDTVWorld #WorldNews #BreakingNews #USAttacksVenezuela #VenezuelaNews