The US might aim to unlock the country’s reserves, but cost and political uncertainty make it look an uncertain option

US energy stocks rise as Trump vows to unlock Venezuela’s oil

Venezuela crisis - latest updates

T

he theory sounds straightforward. Venezuela has vast oil reserves and used to produce more than three times as much volume as it does now. Therefore it should be a simple matter to upgrade the crumbling kit with an injection of dollars and watch the extra barrels and profits flow.