Brazil's Eneva in talks for joint venture with Maha in Venezuela, sources say

By Rodrigo Viga Gaier and Marta Nogueira

RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Brazilian energy firm Eneva ENEV3.SA is considering options to enter Venezuela's oil and natural gas sector and is in talks with Sweden's Maha Capital MAHAa.ST over creating a possible joint venture there, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Friday.

One of the sources, who asked not to be named, said the Brazilian oil, gas and power producer was in talks with other companies besides Maha.

Both sources said the talks remain preliminary. Eneva and Maha declined to comment.

U.S. President Donald Trump encouraged investments following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas in early January.

Last week, Venezuela approved a sweeping reform of its main oil law, a measure expected to increase foreign investment after 20 years of strict nationalization.

Interim President Delcy Rodriguez said investments would be channeled into new fields where there is currently no infrastructure.

Maha Capital, whose main shareholder is Brazilian asset manager Starboard, has a purchase option that would allow it to hold a stake in Venezuelan oil fields operated by the country's state oil firm PDVSA.

However, Maha is awaiting an approval from the U.S. to move forward in Venezuela.