Sources say that the Embassies of Venezuela are planning visits by American and European oil companies

Two sources said that foreign embassies in Venezuela are arranging visits next week with representatives of American and European oil firms. This follows the U.S. announcement about a $2 billion deal for oil and the supply to Venezuela of U.S. products. Sources said that the meetings will include some with PDVSA (the state oil company) to help advance Venezuelan oil supply negotiation and do initial assessments of Venezuelan infrastructure.

Priority is given to an assessment of the power plants' capacity to supply?critical infrastructure including PDVSA, as well as of the massive hydroelectric system of the country, which has deteriorated. Sources said that specific negotiations as part of President Donald Trump’s 50 million barrel Venezuelan supply deal are also on the table.

Plans for the Caracas meeting are being formulated in less than a weeks time after U.S. troops captured and?removed Nicolas Maduro, following previous efforts to strengthen a blockade against the OPEC nation.

The American oil companies are expected to gather at the White House this Friday. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said at a Miami conference that the U.S. would control Venezuela's oil sales and revenues indefinitely. This was to stabilize Venezuela's economy and rebuild the oil sector.

A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department said: "As President Trump stated, we are preparing to allow a reopening if the President makes that decision."

The Venezuelan information ministry didn't immediately respond to a comment request. Reporting by Marianna Pararaga, Houston; Editing and rewriting by Nathan Crooks & Anna Driver

(source: Reuters)