Venezuela claims to have 300 billion barrels of oil in the ground. But experts say that's a stretch
Published . Updated .
One figure sets Venezuela apart from the rest of the world: 303 billion barrels of so-called proven oil reserves. But experts say the country’s estimate is inherently problematic and far from...
Directly affected
- No company is named in this report.
Indirectly affected
- XOM Exxon Mobil
Oil producers earn more when crude prices rise
- CVX Chevron
Oil producers earn more when crude prices rise
- OXY Occidental Petroleum
Oil producers earn more when crude prices rise
- COP ConocoPhillips
Oil producers earn more when crude prices rise
- VLO Valero
Refiners' profits move with crude and fuel prices
- MPC Marathon Petroleum
Refiners' profits move with crude and fuel prices
- XOP SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration
A fund of oil and gas producers
- XLE Energy Select Sector SPDR
A fund of energy companies
- USO United States Oil Fund
This fund moves with oil prices
- OIH VanEck Oil Services
Oilfield services rise when drilling follows oil prices
Price reaction, T-5 to T+3
Venezuela claims to have 300 billion barrels of oil in the ground. But experts say that's a stretch Stamford Advocate
Source: Stamford Advocate
Trades by members of Congress and officials in the stocks in this story
- Rep. Kevin Hern sold ExxonMobil Holdings (XOM) (jointly held), worth $100,001 - $250,000 on 31 Aug 2026. That is 52 days before publication. Filed 25 Sep 2026. View the filing.
- Donald J Trump, an executive branch official, bought ExxonMobil Holdings (XOM), worth $250,001 - $500,000 on 31 Jul 2026. That is 83 days before publication. Filed 22 Sep 2026. View the filing.
- Rep. Kevin Hern sold Chevron (CVX) (jointly held), worth $15,001 - $50,000 on 23 Sep 2026. That is 29 days before publication. Filed 13 Oct 2026. View the filing.
- Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar bought Chevron (CVX), worth $1,001 - $15,000 on 2 Sep 2026. That is 50 days before publication. Filed 7 Oct 2026. View the filing.
- Donald J Trump, an executive branch official, sold Chevron (CVX), worth $15,001 - $50,000 on 31 Jul 2026. That is 83 days before publication. Filed 22 Sep 2026. View the filing.
- Rep. Michael T. McCaul sold Conocophillips (COP) (held by a spouse), worth $1,001 - $15,000 on 26 Aug 2026. That is 57 days before publication. Filed 14 Oct 2026. View the filing.
- Rep. Michael T. McCaul sold Conocophillips (COP) (held by a spouse), worth $1,001 - $15,000 on 24 Aug 2026. That is 59 days before publication. Filed 14 Oct 2026. View the filing.
- Rep. Michael T. McCaul sold Conocophillips (COP) (held by a spouse), worth $1,001 - $15,000 on 14 Aug 2026. That is 69 days before publication. Filed 14 Oct 2026. View the filing.
- Rep. David J. Taylor sold Marathon Petroleum (MPC), worth $1,001 - $15,000 on 22 Sep 2026. That is 30 days before publication. Filed 1 Oct 2026. View the filing.
- Rep. David J. Taylor sold Marathon Petroleum (MPC), worth $1,001 - $15,000 on 24 Jul 2026. That is 90 days before publication. Filed 6 Aug 2026. View the filing.
Public disclosure filings, not a recommendation. The filing link is the source document. News use of these reports still sits under 5 U.S.C. § 13107(c).
How solid the energy case looks
88 out of 100
“Venezuela claims to have 300 billion barrels of oil in the ground. But experts say that's a stretch” scores 88 out of 100. The score uses 7 sources.