With oil prices <$60 per barrel, it doesn't make a lot of economic sense for those guys to spend billions in Venezuela even if the country was in better shape. And it's not in better shape - it's still being run by the same guys who stole all the oil majors' money last time, with a dollop of extra political risk thrown in because the head of state just got forcibly removed. Which makes the big energy companies hesitant.

Minutes ago, I read a piece on my Yahoo news feed, that, besides Trump showing off his new lapel pin, had a lot of information about the "arty oil deal". Of course, I can't find it again.

So, here's plan Steve:

1: Bomb Kharg Island, to take Iranian exports off the market, sending gas prices in the US soaring (remember 1979?)

2: house trained media goes into full hype and hysteria mode about "oil shortage". (remember June 2008?)

3: the goobers than can't think past their next tank of gas screeeeeeeeem.

4: Under pressure, Congress gives Trump authority to do "whatever it takes" to secure the oil in Venezuela. (there were things in that article about Trump promising, without details, that he will assure big oil will make big profits, with no risk, in Venezuela.)

5: big oil says "that $1B donation in the summer of 24 is the best money we ever spent"

Steve