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US firms 'reject' Venezuela deal US firms reject Venezuelan deal
(1 day later)
Two of the world's largest oil companies have reportedly rejected a deal that would keep them working in Venezuela's most important reserve. Two major US companies have rejected a deal that would keep them working in Venezuela's most important oil field, according to state oil firm PDVSA.
The government is taking over majority control of operations in the Orinoco Belt, as it extends nationalisation. The government is taking over majority control of operations in the Orinoco Belt, as it extends state control.
Sources at the state-owned oil firm, PDVSA, say they've been unable to agree with Conoco Phillips and Exxon Mobil about their future role. PDVSA said four firms - BP, Chevron, Total and Norway's Statoil - had signed deals to take minority stakes, but Exxon Mobil and ConocoPhillips had not.
The region could make Venezuela the world's largest oil producer. President Hugo Chavez set Tuesday as a deadline for foreign firms to agree.
Venezuela's nationalised oil company, PDVSA, is now in charge of exploration in the Orinoco Belt. Exxon Mobil said it was "disappointed" that it was unable to reach an agreement on the terms of a joint ownership structure, but added that it was in discussions with the Venezuelan government on a way forward.
Most important oil area
In May, PDVSA took over control of exploration projects in the Orinoco Belt, which had been among the last privately-run fields in the country.
See a map of the oil fields, projects and companies affected See a map of the oil fields, projects and companies affected
It is the country's most important oil area, with massive potential.It is the country's most important oil area, with massive potential.
There are proven reserves of at least 80 bn barrels but there could be enough there to make Venezuela the world's biggest source of oil. There are proven reserves of at least 80 billion barrels, but there could be enough there to make Venezuela the world's biggest source of oil.
But the way that oil is drilled is changing. President Chavez demanded that private companies hand over majority control to the state as part of a nationalisation drive.
President Hugo Chavez has demanded that private companies hand over majority control to the state as part of a nationalisation drive. The six international firms working there had little choice, but there had been intense negotiation over compensation.
The six international firms working there have had little choice but there's been intense negotiation over compensation. Compensation claim
It is reported that four of the six companies have come to an agreement and will stay. Sticking points in the talks included asset valuation, compensation for lost value and rules about decision-making in the future joint ventures, industry officials told Reuters news agency.
But with Tuesday's deadline to finalise arrangements approaching, the American firms Conoco Philips and Exxon Mobil have not yet struck a deal. PDVSA said it now controlled 78% of the Orinoco projects, including full ownership of ConocoPhilips' Petrozuata operation.
This could lead to them leaving Venezuela altogether. Before its announcement, news agencies had quoted unnamed ConocoPhilips officials as saying the company had decided to withdraw from Venezuela, effectively pulling out of a $2.5bn investment.
The head of Exxon Mobil, Rex Tillerson, had said that he expected negotiations to continue beyond the Tuesday deadline, and it is unclear what the firm will do now.
Nationalisation drive
Mr Chavez began a widespread nationalisation drive in January, after winning a landslide victory in the elections last December.
He says the aim is to close Venezuela's massive wealth gap.
His critics say his plan is all about power and question the state's ability to run big companies effectively.
While Mr Chavez was able to pay cash compensation to nationalise the telecoms and energy sectors, analysts suggest that he would not have the funds to pay for a full-scale nationalisation of the oil sector.
Developing the new fields is vital to Venezuela's plans to double oil output by 2012, as its existing fields in Lake Maracaibo are declining.
ORINOCO OIL BELT Oil projects and companies in affected fields1. Sincor (PDVSA*, Total, Statoil); Petrozuata (PDVSA, Conoco Phillips)2. Ameriven (PDVSA, Conoco Phillips, Chevron Texaco)3. Cerro Negro (PDVSA, Exxon Mobil, BP)*PDVSA is Venezuela's state-owned oil companyORINOCO OIL BELT Oil projects and companies in affected fields1. Sincor (PDVSA*, Total, Statoil); Petrozuata (PDVSA, Conoco Phillips)2. Ameriven (PDVSA, Conoco Phillips, Chevron Texaco)3. Cerro Negro (PDVSA, Exxon Mobil, BP)*PDVSA is Venezuela's state-owned oil company
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