May 21 (Reuters) – U.S. oil major Exxon Mobil (XOM.N) is in talks to acquire rights to produce oil in Venezuela nearly two decades after it was effectively expelled from the country, the New York Times reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter.
The deal, which could be finalized and announced as soon as this month, would involve Exxon signing contracts to produce oil in up to six fields in several regions in Venezuela, the report added.
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U.S. President Donald Trump urged oil firms to invest $100 billion in Venezuela and rebuild the energy sector after U.S. forces captured and removed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from office in January.
Exxon did not immediately reply to Reuters request for comment.
In January, Exxon CEO Darren Woods called Venezuela “uninvestable” without durable protections for new investment, comments that landed him in hot water with President Trump.
Exxon exited Venezuela in 2007 after its assets were expropriated.
Reporting by Katha Kalia in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber
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