In a dramatic escalation that sent shockwaves across the globe, the United States launched a large-scale military operation against Venezuela on the morning of Saturday, 3rd January 2026. The action culminated in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, who were subsequently flown out of the country.
Operation and Immediate Aftermath
US President Donald Trump used his Truth Social platform to announce the successful strike. He confirmed that Maduro would face charges in a US court, including narco-terrorism conspiracy and cocaine importation conspiracy. In a significant follow-up statement, President Trump revealed plans for US oil companies to invest heavily in reviving Venezuela's crumbling oil infrastructure.
The objective is to significantly increase the nation's crude output, facilitating higher oil flows to the United States and other global markets. This move directly targets Venezuela's vast proven oil reserves, the largest in the world at an estimated 303 billion barrels. Production had plummeted to around 0.9 million barrels per day by November 2025, a stark decline from over 2 million barrels per day in the early 2010s.
Which US Oil Companies Stand to Gain?
The geopolitical shift has immediately turned the spotlight on American energy stocks, with analysts predicting a bullish trend when trading resumes on Wall Street. Sandeep Pandey, Co-founder of Basav Capital, identified clear beneficiaries.
"The US action in Venezuela would benefit a significant number of US oil companies, with Chevron Corporation at the forefront," Pandey stated. He highlighted that Chevron is currently the only major US oil firm operating in Venezuela, exploring approximately 25% of the country's total reserves. Consequently, Chevron stocks are anticipated to attract strong buying interest.
Pandey also pointed to other potential winners. ExxonMobil could emerge as the next major beneficiary due to its existing operational history in Venezuela and may quickly secure new projects. Other US oil service and exploration stocks like ConocoPhillips, Halliburton, and Schlumberger are also expected to draw investor attention following the US government's takeover of Venezuelan reserves.
Chevron Share Price: A Technical and Geopolitical Bull Case
Providing a detailed technical outlook, Anshul Jain, Head of Research at Lakshmishree, painted an optimistic picture for Chevron. He noted that after a massive 99.87% rally over nine months, the Chevron share price has been consolidating within a broad range of $128 to $167 for the past 46 months, forming a classic bullish flag pattern on the monthly chart.
"This long compression has rebuilt energy for the next directional leg," Jain explained. He identified the critical neckline near $165, stating that a high-volume breakout above the $168 resistance zone would confirm the resumption of the primary uptrend. Jain emphasized that the risk-reward ratio strongly favors an upward move, and the current geopolitical events in Venezuela provide a powerful external catalyst that increases the probability of a sustained, momentum-driven breakout phase for the stock.
Disclaimer: This analysis is for educational purposes only. The views and recommendations are those of individual analysts or broking companies. Investors are strongly advised to consult with certified experts before making any investment decisions.
