Seized Tanker Off Venezuela Seen Threatening 30% of Oil Exports

December 11, 2025, 3:51 PM UTC

Venezuelan crude exports could drop sharply as US-Venezuela tensions escalate following the seizure of an oil tanker in the South American country’s waters, an energy consultancy said.

About 30% of the country’s oil exports, transported in a shadow fleet of sanctioned ships, are at risk if the US continues to enforce sanctions, according to a Wednesday report from Rapidan Energy Group. That accounts for about 300,000 barrels a day.

The US military intercepted and took control of an oil supertanker on Wednesday identified as Skipper that was used in the Iranian oil trade. The US has ratcheted up pressure on ...

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