Venezuelan Crude Imports to the US Hit Highest Level Since 2017

The United States imported an average of 701,000 barrels per day (b/d) of Venezuelan crude in July 2026, the highest volume since May 2017, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported on November 6. The figure contrasts with 200,000 b/d in January and slipped to 655,000 b/d in August, according to the EIA's Petroleum Supply Monthly.

The rebound rests on demand from US refineries, which are running on high global margins, and on Washington's easing of restrictions on purchases from Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) after the capture of Nicolás Maduro in January 2026, according to the EIA. Gulf Coast refineries (PADD 3) are configured to process heavy, sour crudes such as Venezuela's. Argus Media reported that the July volume was 11% above the 630,000 b/d of June and that Valero led purchases with 282,000 b/d in Corpus Christi, Port Arthur and St. Charles; Citgo received 112,000 b/d and PBF, 84,000 b/d.

The shift is also redrawing heavy crude routes. Venezuela sent no crude to China in 2026, whereas in 2025 that country accounted for the bulk of its exports, and the United States became its main destination by volume, according to Vortexa data cited by the EIA. For Mexico, the effect plays out in the same market: Pemex exported 275,737 b/d of crude in August, versus close to 450,000 b/d in July, while shipments to its refineries rose 15% year on year, according to Expansión. With less Mexican supply and more Venezuelan barrels on the Gulf Coast, competition for heavy crude refining capacity is intensifying.

Energy Intelligence estimated that Venezuelan production reached 1.09 million b/d in September, its highest level in years, versus 867,000 b/d in 2025. The next data point to watch is the EIA's upcoming Petroleum Supply Monthly, which will show whether imports hold above 600,000 b/d after the August pullback.

This article was drafted with the assistance of artificial intelligence from verified sources and reviewed by a human editor before publication.