Chevron Crude Shipments Halted as Venezuela Cancels Export Permits Amid U.S. Sanctions

Chevron's Venezuelan crude shipments have hit a roadblock as PDVSA, Venezuela’s state oil company, revoked export authorizations for several tankers due to payment uncertainties linked to renewed U.S. sanctions. According to shipping data and sources, at least two Chevron-chartered vessels, Dubai Attraction and Carina Voyager, remain stalled in Venezuelan waters after PDVSA abruptly canceled their sail orders.

The disruption follows the revocation of Chevron’s 2022 U.S. license to operate in Venezuela, which was officially withdrawn in March by President Donald Trump’s administration. Although a wind-down period was granted until May 27, PDVSA has taken preemptive action, further complicating Chevron's operations.

In addition to the two stranded vessels, PDVSA suspended loading permissions for four other Chevron tankers — Pegasus Star, Ionic Anax, Calypso, and Sea Jaguar. Two of these ships reportedly began departing Venezuela empty, adding to the uncertainty surrounding Chevron’s export plans.

Chevron’s Carina Voyager was destined for its Pascagoula refinery in Mississippi, while Dubai Attraction planned a ship-to-ship transfer with Valero Energy’s Cap Corpus Christi near Aruba. However, due to the canceled authorization, Cap Corpus Christi departed partially loaded.

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez attributed the stalled shipments to U.S. sanctions, stating on Telegram that Chevron had returned crude due to an inability to process payments. The Venezuelan government, under Nicolás Maduro, continues to criticize U.S. measures that have crippled the country’s oil exports since 2019.

Chevron’s joint ventures with PDVSA produce around 25% of Venezuela’s crude. In Q1 2025, Chevron exported approximately 250,000 barrels per day to the U.S. under its previously held license. The company, along with PDVSA and Valero, has yet to comment on the situation.