Embassies in Venezuela plan visits for American, European oil firms, sources say

By Marianna Parraga

HOUSTON, Jan 8 (Reuters) - Foreign embassies in Venezuela are beginning to arrange visits for next week that will include representatives for American and European oil companies, two sources told Reuters, following the U.S. announcement of a $2 billion oil deal and the supply of U.S. goods to the South American country.

The business meetings, some being planned with state oil company PDVSA, will be held to advance Venezuelan oil supply negotiations and conduct initial assessments of infrastructure in Venezuela, the sources said.

An assessment of power plants' ability to supply to critical infrastructure, including PDVSA's, and of the country's deteriorated massive hydroelectric system, is seen as a priority.

Specific negotiations that are part of President Donald Trump's 50 million barrel Venezuelan oil supply deal also are on the table, the sources said.

The fast-moving plans for the Caracas meetings are emerging less than a week after U.S. forces captured and removed President Nicolas Maduro from power following earlier efforts in December to harden a blockade on the OPEC country.

American oil companies are expected to meet at the White House on Friday. Energy Secretary Chris Wright told a Miami conference on Wednesday that the U.S. planned to control Venezuela's oil sales and revenue indefinitely to stabilize the South American country's economy and rebuild its oil sector.

"As President Trump said, we are making preparations to allow for a reopening should the President make that decision,” a U.S. State Department spokesperson said.

Venezuela's information ministry did not immediately reply to a request for comment.