{"id":420902,"date":"2026-01-11T12:21:25","date_gmt":"2026-01-11T11:21:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=420902"},"modified":"2026-01-11T12:21:30","modified_gmt":"2026-01-11T11:21:30","slug":"how-one-arrest-could-refill-the-strategic-oil-reserves-biden-drained","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=420902","title":{"rendered":"How One Arrest Could Refill the Strategic Oil Reserves Biden Drained"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"723\" height=\"413\" data-attachment-id=\"420906\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?attachment_id=420906\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AQM1LwVCdTWsBCNLj2Ms9age1TphWeFUNnWCIkBxoyj9uB9gWwGNexkGpT3JlxI9UJGHakwggKCsJVOY1_kzJDvzmLlKYzaEgfKFqjPPCnn6CYovfA-YxTED0TaI2rZf.jpeg?fit=1344%2C768&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1344,768\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"AQM1LwVCdTWsBCNLj2Ms9age1TphWeFUNnWCIkBxoyj9uB9gWwGNexkGpT3JlxI9UJGHakwggKCsJVOY1_kzJDvzmLlKYzaEgfKFqjPPCnn6CYovfA-YxTED0TaI2rZf\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AQM1LwVCdTWsBCNLj2Ms9age1TphWeFUNnWCIkBxoyj9uB9gWwGNexkGpT3JlxI9UJGHakwggKCsJVOY1_kzJDvzmLlKYzaEgfKFqjPPCnn6CYovfA-YxTED0TaI2rZf.jpeg?fit=723%2C413&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AQM1LwVCdTWsBCNLj2Ms9age1TphWeFUNnWCIkBxoyj9uB9gWwGNexkGpT3JlxI9UJGHakwggKCsJVOY1_kzJDvzmLlKYzaEgfKFqjPPCnn6CYovfA-YxTED0TaI2rZf.jpeg?resize=723%2C413&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"A digital artwork featuring a confident man in a suit, resembling a political figure, centered against a backdrop depicting a power plant, the U.S. Capitol, an eagle in flight, and the Statue of Liberty, symbolizing energy and national themes.\" class=\"wp-image-420906\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AQM1LwVCdTWsBCNLj2Ms9age1TphWeFUNnWCIkBxoyj9uB9gWwGNexkGpT3JlxI9UJGHakwggKCsJVOY1_kzJDvzmLlKYzaEgfKFqjPPCnn6CYovfA-YxTED0TaI2rZf.jpeg?resize=1024%2C585&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AQM1LwVCdTWsBCNLj2Ms9age1TphWeFUNnWCIkBxoyj9uB9gWwGNexkGpT3JlxI9UJGHakwggKCsJVOY1_kzJDvzmLlKYzaEgfKFqjPPCnn6CYovfA-YxTED0TaI2rZf.jpeg?resize=300%2C171&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AQM1LwVCdTWsBCNLj2Ms9age1TphWeFUNnWCIkBxoyj9uB9gWwGNexkGpT3JlxI9UJGHakwggKCsJVOY1_kzJDvzmLlKYzaEgfKFqjPPCnn6CYovfA-YxTED0TaI2rZf.jpeg?resize=768%2C439&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AQM1LwVCdTWsBCNLj2Ms9age1TphWeFUNnWCIkBxoyj9uB9gWwGNexkGpT3JlxI9UJGHakwggKCsJVOY1_kzJDvzmLlKYzaEgfKFqjPPCnn6CYovfA-YxTED0TaI2rZf.jpeg?resize=640%2C366&amp;ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AQM1LwVCdTWsBCNLj2Ms9age1TphWeFUNnWCIkBxoyj9uB9gWwGNexkGpT3JlxI9UJGHakwggKCsJVOY1_kzJDvzmLlKYzaEgfKFqjPPCnn6CYovfA-YxTED0TaI2rZf.jpeg?resize=1200%2C686&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AQM1LwVCdTWsBCNLj2Ms9age1TphWeFUNnWCIkBxoyj9uB9gWwGNexkGpT3JlxI9UJGHakwggKCsJVOY1_kzJDvzmLlKYzaEgfKFqjPPCnn6CYovfA-YxTED0TaI2rZf.jpeg?w=1344&amp;ssl=1 1344w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 723px) 100vw, 723px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From <a href=\"https:\/\/dailycaller.com\/2026\/01\/08\/maduro-trump-strategic-oil-reserve-biden-venezuela-energy-spr\/\">The Daily Caller<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wattsupwiththat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/image-205.png?resize=528%2C50&amp;quality=75&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Daily Caller News Foundation\" class=\"wp-image-10239521\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/dailycaller.com\/author\/AStreb\">Audrey Streb<\/a><\/strong><br>DCNF Energy Reporter<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"723\" height=\"723\" data-attachment-id=\"420908\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?attachment_id=420908\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AQNd1-yDAfjXHtKg8gVwkyQiSbL3nn522frp7BTk800MJeM2KZAZXZSa4VQ5BwntFXfT9b6z4suNV3IGxIEIqEHQrPoLBjdidk3E4AZ61XP73-EZFcm7SUJtEN5tAhYF7ZvS7AFNeA7kFZekIWb5eBOYybciXg.jpeg?fit=1280%2C1280&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1280,1280\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"AQNd1-yDAfjXHtKg8gVwkyQiSbL3nn522frp7BTk800MJeM2KZAZXZSa4VQ5BwntFXfT9b6z4suNV3IGxIEIqEHQrPoLBjdidk3E4AZ61XP73-EZFcm7SUJtEN5tAhYF7ZvS7AFNeA7kFZekIWb5eBOYybciXg\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AQNd1-yDAfjXHtKg8gVwkyQiSbL3nn522frp7BTk800MJeM2KZAZXZSa4VQ5BwntFXfT9b6z4suNV3IGxIEIqEHQrPoLBjdidk3E4AZ61XP73-EZFcm7SUJtEN5tAhYF7ZvS7AFNeA7kFZekIWb5eBOYybciXg.jpeg?fit=723%2C723&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AQNd1-yDAfjXHtKg8gVwkyQiSbL3nn522frp7BTk800MJeM2KZAZXZSa4VQ5BwntFXfT9b6z4suNV3IGxIEIqEHQrPoLBjdidk3E4AZ61XP73-EZFcm7SUJtEN5tAhYF7ZvS7AFNeA7kFZekIWb5eBOYybciXg-1024x1024.jpeg?resize=723%2C723&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"A scenic view of a countryside landscape featuring a barn, a tractor, and cows grazing in a lush green field, with a large American flag prominently waving in the foreground against a bright sky.\" class=\"wp-image-420908\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AQNd1-yDAfjXHtKg8gVwkyQiSbL3nn522frp7BTk800MJeM2KZAZXZSa4VQ5BwntFXfT9b6z4suNV3IGxIEIqEHQrPoLBjdidk3E4AZ61XP73-EZFcm7SUJtEN5tAhYF7ZvS7AFNeA7kFZekIWb5eBOYybciXg.jpeg?resize=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AQNd1-yDAfjXHtKg8gVwkyQiSbL3nn522frp7BTk800MJeM2KZAZXZSa4VQ5BwntFXfT9b6z4suNV3IGxIEIqEHQrPoLBjdidk3E4AZ61XP73-EZFcm7SUJtEN5tAhYF7ZvS7AFNeA7kFZekIWb5eBOYybciXg.jpeg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AQNd1-yDAfjXHtKg8gVwkyQiSbL3nn522frp7BTk800MJeM2KZAZXZSa4VQ5BwntFXfT9b6z4suNV3IGxIEIqEHQrPoLBjdidk3E4AZ61XP73-EZFcm7SUJtEN5tAhYF7ZvS7AFNeA7kFZekIWb5eBOYybciXg.jpeg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AQNd1-yDAfjXHtKg8gVwkyQiSbL3nn522frp7BTk800MJeM2KZAZXZSa4VQ5BwntFXfT9b6z4suNV3IGxIEIqEHQrPoLBjdidk3E4AZ61XP73-EZFcm7SUJtEN5tAhYF7ZvS7AFNeA7kFZekIWb5eBOYybciXg.jpeg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AQNd1-yDAfjXHtKg8gVwkyQiSbL3nn522frp7BTk800MJeM2KZAZXZSa4VQ5BwntFXfT9b6z4suNV3IGxIEIqEHQrPoLBjdidk3E4AZ61XP73-EZFcm7SUJtEN5tAhYF7ZvS7AFNeA7kFZekIWb5eBOYybciXg.jpeg?resize=640%2C640&amp;ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AQNd1-yDAfjXHtKg8gVwkyQiSbL3nn522frp7BTk800MJeM2KZAZXZSa4VQ5BwntFXfT9b6z4suNV3IGxIEIqEHQrPoLBjdidk3E4AZ61XP73-EZFcm7SUJtEN5tAhYF7ZvS7AFNeA7kFZekIWb5eBOYybciXg.jpeg?resize=1200%2C1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w, 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https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AQNd1-yDAfjXHtKg8gVwkyQiSbL3nn522frp7BTk800MJeM2KZAZXZSa4VQ5BwntFXfT9b6z4suNV3IGxIEIqEHQrPoLBjdidk3E4AZ61XP73-EZFcm7SUJtEN5tAhYF7ZvS7AFNeA7kFZekIWb5eBOYybciXg.jpeg?resize=200%2C200&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AQNd1-yDAfjXHtKg8gVwkyQiSbL3nn522frp7BTk800MJeM2KZAZXZSa4VQ5BwntFXfT9b6z4suNV3IGxIEIqEHQrPoLBjdidk3E4AZ61XP73-EZFcm7SUJtEN5tAhYF7ZvS7AFNeA7kFZekIWb5eBOYybciXg.jpeg?resize=450%2C450&amp;ssl=1 450w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AQNd1-yDAfjXHtKg8gVwkyQiSbL3nn522frp7BTk800MJeM2KZAZXZSa4VQ5BwntFXfT9b6z4suNV3IGxIEIqEHQrPoLBjdidk3E4AZ61XP73-EZFcm7SUJtEN5tAhYF7ZvS7AFNeA7kFZekIWb5eBOYybciXg.jpeg?resize=60%2C60&amp;ssl=1 60w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AQNd1-yDAfjXHtKg8gVwkyQiSbL3nn522frp7BTk800MJeM2KZAZXZSa4VQ5BwntFXfT9b6z4suNV3IGxIEIqEHQrPoLBjdidk3E4AZ61XP73-EZFcm7SUJtEN5tAhYF7ZvS7AFNeA7kFZekIWb5eBOYybciXg.jpeg?resize=550%2C550&amp;ssl=1 550w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AQNd1-yDAfjXHtKg8gVwkyQiSbL3nn522frp7BTk800MJeM2KZAZXZSa4VQ5BwntFXfT9b6z4suNV3IGxIEIqEHQrPoLBjdidk3E4AZ61XP73-EZFcm7SUJtEN5tAhYF7ZvS7AFNeA7kFZekIWb5eBOYybciXg.jpeg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 723px) 100vw, 723px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Trump administration\u2019s capture of socialist Venezuelan dictator Nicol\u00e1s Maduro has thrown the region into uncertainty while presenting opportunities that could give the U.S. a geopolitical and economic advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once a global energy powerhouse, Venezuela\u2019s oil sector now&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilsoncenter.org\/sites\/default\/files\/media\/uploads\/documents\/Venezuela%20Desk_FranciscoMonaldi_1.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">produces<\/a>&nbsp;a fraction of what it did before former dictator Hugo Ch\u00e1vez nationalized the industry. If President Donald Trump\u2019s gambit proves successful, the U.S. could&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/dailycaller.com\/2026\/01\/06\/veneuzuela-oil-trump-maduro-western-hemisphere-regime-change-china-russia-canada-america\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">revitalize<\/a>&nbsp;the Venezuelan oil industry and leverage its resources to refill America\u2019s depleted Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), several energy policy experts and economists explained to the Daily Caller News Foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Former President Joe Biden authorized a massive drawdown and sale of SPR oil in 2022, ahead of midterm elections and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/gasprices.aaa.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">record-high<\/a>&nbsp;gas prices that bogged down his fellow Democrats. After releasing about&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/news\/2023\/10\/16\/biden-oil-reserve-fuels-00121298\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">200 million<\/a>&nbsp;barrels from the SPR in the months leading up to the midterms, the Biden administration&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/dailycaller.com\/2024\/05\/21\/biden-oil-reserve-gas-prices-2024-election\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">continued to tap<\/a>&nbsp;into the U.S. emergency oil stockpile to bring down gas costs ahead of the 2024 election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Numerous energy experts since&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/dailycaller.com\/2023\/07\/17\/decades-refill-americas-oil-reserves-drained-biden-experts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">cautioned<\/a>&nbsp;that it could take \u201cdecades\u201d to refill the SPR following Biden\u2019s releases, with some experts previously explaining to the DCNF that the former administration\u2019s moves posed a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/dailycaller.com\/2023\/10\/10\/biden-drain-strategic-petroleum-reserve-us-vulnerable-geopolitical-risks-israel\/?pnespid=sag8CSEcPqAWhuXftjO1DcqVokK2CYAnc.S1z_EwvhBmaCf697Wu5gS7LS4.CXPUyMx0LvMuDg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">national security concern<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe Strategic Petroleum Reserve can serve not only a militarily strategic interest, but also an economically strategic interest,\u201d the chief economist at The Heritage Foundation, EJ Antoni, told the DCNF, arguing that refilling the SPR could also position the U.S. government to set a price floor to the benefit of smaller operators and American investors in the event of an\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/graphics\/2025-global-oil-supply-prices\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">oil glut<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/dailycaller.com\/2026\/01\/06\/veneuzuela-oil-trump-maduro-western-hemisphere-regime-change-china-russia-canada-america\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">(RELATED: Venezuelan Oil Could Make America \u2018Master Of The Hemisphere\u2019 If Trump\u2019s Domination Continues)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most of Venezuela\u2019s crude oil exports are&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/international\/content\/analysis\/countries_long\/Venezuela\/pdf\/venezuela_2024.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">flowing<\/a>&nbsp;to China, and some energy policy experts are optimistic that if Trump\u2019s plan to \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/dailycaller.com\/2026\/01\/03\/trump-us-run-venezuela-nicolas-maduro-press-conference\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">run<\/a>\u201d or otherwise partner with the Latin American nation pans out, the U.S. could eventually leverage its resources to benefit both American companies and the Venezuelan people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Revitalizing Venezuela\u2019s oil industry raises numerous questions, and several industry insiders previously told the DCNF that American companies are cautious about new development under the current uncertainty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">David Blackmon, an energy and policy writer who spent 40 years in the oil and gas business, told the DCNF that U.S. dominance of Venezuela\u2019s oil industry would present a golden opportunity for it to refill America\u2019s oil reserves, though the process would be bogged down by government bureaucracy and take several months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trump&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxbusiness.com\/politics\/president-donald-trump-touts-energy-plans-inaugural-address\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">said<\/a>&nbsp;in his inaugural speech that his administration would replenish the SPR, though Energy Secretary Chris Wright has&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/energy\/us-energy-chief-seek-20-billion-refill-oil-reserve-bloomberg-news-reports-2025-03-07\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">confirmed<\/a>&nbsp;that it will take years to completely refill the reserves. In November, the DOE&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/dailycaller.com\/2025\/11\/12\/trump-admin-big-oil-buy-strategic-petroleum-reserves-biden\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">announced<\/a>&nbsp;that it is advancing a plan to acquire one million barrels for the SPR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One industry source that was granted anonymity to speak freely told the DCNF previously that the Venezuela development has not spurred American companies to consider national reserve replenishment possibilities, adding that the administration\u2019s intent to refill the reserve is not dependent on Venezuelan oil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jason Isaac, CEO of the American Energy Institute, told the DCNF that \u201cU.S. companies will not commit serious capital to Venezuela without a credible reset on rule of law.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Isaac continued to note that \u201cthe near-term benefit is mostly about refinery optimization and security of supply, not a dramatic global price collapse.\u201d However, a long-term benefit of a U.S. partnership with Venezuela could be critical resource acquisition at discounted rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Diana Furchtgott-Roth, director of the Center for Energy, Climate and Environment at The Heritage Foundation, told the DCNF that \u201cexpectations of greater supply from Venezuela will lower the prices of oil and make it easier and less expensive to fill the SPR.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, Furchtgott-Roth also presented an alternate perspective, arguing the SPR may no longer serve a critical purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019m not sure if we need the SPR at all. The biggest SPR we have is right under our feet,\u201d Furchtgott-Roth told the DCNF. \u201cThe SPR was conceived of when the United States had very little oil production. \u2026 Times have changed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The SPR was&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/articles\/history-strategic-petroleum-reserve\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">established<\/a>&nbsp;in 1975 following the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/dailycaller.com\/Users\/audre\/Downloads\/Oil%20Shock%20of%201973-74%20_%20Federal%20Reserve%20History.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">oil crisis<\/a>&nbsp;in the early 70\u2019s, \u201cprimarily to reduce the impact of disruptions in supplies of petroleum products and to carry out obligations of the United States under the international energy program,\u201d according to the Department of Energy (DOE). Following the shale-revolution, America&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/rrapier\/2024\/03\/12\/eia-confirms-historic-us-oil-production-record\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">shed concerns<\/a>&nbsp;about oil shortages, becoming the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/energyexplained\/oil-and-petroleum-products\/where-our-oil-comes-from.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">top producer<\/a>&nbsp;in the world in 2018.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trump and his allies are eager to extract America\u2019s&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/dailycaller.com\/2025\/07\/27\/exclusive-gop-rep-touts-how-alaska-is-key-to-unleashing-american-energy-dominance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">vast oil and gas reserves<\/a>, repeating the mantra, \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/trump-speech-congress-transcript-751b5891a3265ff1e5c1409c391fef7c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">drill, baby, drill<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPresident Trump\u2019s energy dominance agenda has already brought gas prices down across the country, while gradually replenishing the SPR, and they will continue to drop as we unleash American energy,\u201d White House Spokeswoman Taylor Rogers told the DCNF before America\u2019s capture of Maduro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cJoe Biden\u2019s disastrous green energy policies sent gas prices soaring across the country, making the past four years painfully unaffordable for Americans filling their gas tanks to commute to work, take their children to school, and travel during the summer and holiday seasons,\u201d Rogers continued. \u201cIn a desperate attempt to provide an illusion of relief during his 2024 campaign, Joe Biden irresponsibly depleted our&nbsp;Strategic&nbsp;Petroleum&nbsp;Reserve \u2013 shamelessly jeopardizing our economic and national security.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trump&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/@realDonaldTrump\/posts\/115856078669121098\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">wrote<\/a>&nbsp;on Wednesday on Truth Social that \u201cI have just been informed that Venezuela is going to be purchasing ONLY American Made Products, with the money they receive from our new Oil Deal.\u201d A DOE factsheet&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/ceser\/strategic-petroleum-reserve\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">released<\/a>&nbsp;Wednesday stated that the energy partnership between Venezuela and the oil means \u201coil sales begin immediately with the anticipated sale of approximately 30 \u2013 50 million barrels. They will continue indefinitely.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter\u2019s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact\u00a0<\/em><a href=\"mailto:licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org\">licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org<\/a><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Trump administration\u2019s capture of socialist Venezuelan dictator Nicol\u00e1s Maduro has thrown the region into uncertainty while presenting opportunities that could give the U.S. a geopolitical and economic advantage.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":121246920,"featured_media":420906,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","_crdt_document":"","advanced_seo_description":"Explore how Trump's plan to revive Venezuela's oil industry could reshape U.S. energy strategy and national security amid political tensions.","jetpack_seo_html_title":"Revitalizing Venezuela's Oil: Trump's Strategic Advantage","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":true,"token":"eyJpbWciOiJodHRwczpcL1wvY2xpbWF0ZS1zY2llbmNlLnByZXNzXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDI2XC8wMVwvQVFNMUx3VkNkVFdzQkNOTGoyTXM5YWdlMVRwaFdlRlVObldDSWtCeG95ajl1QjlnV3dHTmV4a0dwVDNKbHhJOVVKR0hha3dnZ0tDc0pWT1kxX2t6SkR2em1MbEtZemFFZ2ZLRnFqUFBDbm42Q1lvdmZBLVl4VEVEMFRhSTJyWmYtMTAyNHg1ODUuanBlZyIsInR4dCI6IkhvdyBPbmUgQXJyZXN0IENvdWxkIFJlZmlsbCB0aGUgU3RyYXRlZ2ljIE9pbCBSZXNlcnZlcyBCaWRlbiBEcmFpbmVkIiwidGVtcGxhdGUiOiJoaWdod2F5IiwiZm9udCI6IiIsImJsb2dfaWQiOjE1NTgxMjQ0OX0.j6050CUZCWcRGx8hcmPvpXUG9KSEC0j6Ner3tGKc1pkMQ"},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[691840645,691818136,691822319,691833487,691840572],"class_list":{"0":"post-420902","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"hentry","7":"category-uncategorized","8":"tag-nicolas-maduro","9":"tag-oil","10":"tag-strategic-petroleum-reserve-spr","11":"tag-us-president-donald-j-trump","12":"tag-venezuela","14":"fallback-thumbnail"},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AQM1LwVCdTWsBCNLj2Ms9age1TphWeFUNnWCIkBxoyj9uB9gWwGNexkGpT3JlxI9UJGHakwggKCsJVOY1_kzJDvzmLlKYzaEgfKFqjPPCnn6CYovfA-YxTED0TaI2rZf.jpeg?fit=1344%2C768&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paxLW1-1LuK","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":421428,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=421428","url_meta":{"origin":420902,"position":0},"title":"Energy Security: Trump Bluntly Admits Why Venezuelan Action Was Needed","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"01\/15\/2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The calendar had just barely heralded the new year when President Donald J. Trump got 2026 off to a rollicking start with the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.","rel":"","context":"In \"Energy Dominance\"","block_context":{"text":"Energy Dominance","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=energy-dominance"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AQMFvK6J38vGZ2FN6jIfAYUrUZsqbLZuTaO_6GqR8uV7hhwsL5VHtKncNm_lSQ_x87ubypWFoBU1whROXuL_MnG8HUpQB8YO1UwZVr73tql1koHly0k_yVxhiqFLNqg.jpeg?fit=1200%2C658&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AQMFvK6J38vGZ2FN6jIfAYUrUZsqbLZuTaO_6GqR8uV7hhwsL5VHtKncNm_lSQ_x87ubypWFoBU1whROXuL_MnG8HUpQB8YO1UwZVr73tql1koHly0k_yVxhiqFLNqg.jpeg?fit=1200%2C658&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AQMFvK6J38vGZ2FN6jIfAYUrUZsqbLZuTaO_6GqR8uV7hhwsL5VHtKncNm_lSQ_x87ubypWFoBU1whROXuL_MnG8HUpQB8YO1UwZVr73tql1koHly0k_yVxhiqFLNqg.jpeg?fit=1200%2C658&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AQMFvK6J38vGZ2FN6jIfAYUrUZsqbLZuTaO_6GqR8uV7hhwsL5VHtKncNm_lSQ_x87ubypWFoBU1whROXuL_MnG8HUpQB8YO1UwZVr73tql1koHly0k_yVxhiqFLNqg.jpeg?fit=1200%2C658&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AQMFvK6J38vGZ2FN6jIfAYUrUZsqbLZuTaO_6GqR8uV7hhwsL5VHtKncNm_lSQ_x87ubypWFoBU1whROXuL_MnG8HUpQB8YO1UwZVr73tql1koHly0k_yVxhiqFLNqg.jpeg?fit=1200%2C658&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":420598,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=420598","url_meta":{"origin":420902,"position":1},"title":"Trump\u2019s Venezuelan Gambit and the Reordering of Global Oil Geopolitics","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"01\/09\/2026","format":false,"excerpt":"In early January 2026, President Donald Trump authorized a daring U.S. military operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicol\u00e1s Maduro, framing it as an arrest on narcoterrorism charges. This action, dubbed by analysts as Trump's \"Venezuelan gambit,\" has thrust the oil-rich nation into the spotlight, with Trump openly declaring intentions to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"\u2018Bolivarian Revolution\u2019\"","block_context":{"text":"\u2018Bolivarian Revolution\u2019","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=bolivarian-revolution"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-127.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-127.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-127.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-127.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":228410,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=228410","url_meta":{"origin":420902,"position":2},"title":"COP27 Invited an Accused Narco-Terrorist \u2013 John Kerry Shook His Hand","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"11\/10\/2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Bring him in, John! Awkward moment John Kerry SHAKES HANDS with Venezuela\u2019s ex-president Nicolas Maduro at COP27 Summit in Egypt \u2013 despite US having $15million bounty out on the narco-terrorist","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/0John-Kerry-Shaking-Hands-with-Maduro-With-Wanted-Poster-1.webp?fit=800%2C400&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/0John-Kerry-Shaking-Hands-with-Maduro-With-Wanted-Poster-1.webp?fit=800%2C400&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/0John-Kerry-Shaking-Hands-with-Maduro-With-Wanted-Poster-1.webp?fit=800%2C400&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/0John-Kerry-Shaking-Hands-with-Maduro-With-Wanted-Poster-1.webp?fit=800%2C400&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":422076,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=422076","url_meta":{"origin":420902,"position":3},"title":"Europe\u2019s Outrage Over Maduro Arrest Reflects Poor Understanding of Oil Industry","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"01\/19\/2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The dramatic arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicol\u00e1s Maduro sent shock waves around the world. Yet nowhere was the reaction more negative\u2009\u2013\u2009and more baffling\u2009\u2013\u2009than in the European Union, where outrage swept through public discourse, a stark contrast to the generally positive reaction in the U.S. and elsewhere.","rel":"","context":"In \"Europe\"","block_context":{"text":"Europe","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=europe"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AQP7CcTC_V9lTvLIUfOY5AYSB5rQH_FOKu28cl9cf5SqtsAT4S4TvuDjfrTb_dwmLvEDE5xi1SdUoQZbBQPmG_8-I7MBWKFNi-IQLiH6hUcRoUP07GHrP5O6gsa6FtYX.jpeg?fit=1200%2C658&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AQP7CcTC_V9lTvLIUfOY5AYSB5rQH_FOKu28cl9cf5SqtsAT4S4TvuDjfrTb_dwmLvEDE5xi1SdUoQZbBQPmG_8-I7MBWKFNi-IQLiH6hUcRoUP07GHrP5O6gsa6FtYX.jpeg?fit=1200%2C658&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AQP7CcTC_V9lTvLIUfOY5AYSB5rQH_FOKu28cl9cf5SqtsAT4S4TvuDjfrTb_dwmLvEDE5xi1SdUoQZbBQPmG_8-I7MBWKFNi-IQLiH6hUcRoUP07GHrP5O6gsa6FtYX.jpeg?fit=1200%2C658&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AQP7CcTC_V9lTvLIUfOY5AYSB5rQH_FOKu28cl9cf5SqtsAT4S4TvuDjfrTb_dwmLvEDE5xi1SdUoQZbBQPmG_8-I7MBWKFNi-IQLiH6hUcRoUP07GHrP5O6gsa6FtYX.jpeg?fit=1200%2C658&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AQP7CcTC_V9lTvLIUfOY5AYSB5rQH_FOKu28cl9cf5SqtsAT4S4TvuDjfrTb_dwmLvEDE5xi1SdUoQZbBQPmG_8-I7MBWKFNi-IQLiH6hUcRoUP07GHrP5O6gsa6FtYX.jpeg?fit=1200%2C658&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":420359,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=420359","url_meta":{"origin":420902,"position":4},"title":"Venezuelan Oil: Statism to Liberation?","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"01\/07\/2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Venezuela's oil industry has long exemplified statism: full state control via Petr\u00f3leos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA) after nationalization in the 1970s, intensified under Hugo Ch\u00e1vez's 2007 expropriations of private assets. This model, combined with mismanagement, corruption, and U.S. sanctions since 2019, collapsed production from over 3 million barrels per day\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"Cuba\"","block_context":{"text":"Cuba","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=cuba"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0Screenshot-2026-01-07-194335.png?fit=1200%2C843&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0Screenshot-2026-01-07-194335.png?fit=1200%2C843&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0Screenshot-2026-01-07-194335.png?fit=1200%2C843&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0Screenshot-2026-01-07-194335.png?fit=1200%2C843&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0Screenshot-2026-01-07-194335.png?fit=1200%2C843&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":247060,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=247060","url_meta":{"origin":420902,"position":5},"title":"Huge Green Mineral Lithium Deposit Discovered in Iran","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"03\/06\/2023","format":false,"excerpt":"How far will the Biden administration be prepared to go, to secure access to Iranian Lithium?","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/image-242.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/image-242.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/image-242.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/image-242.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/image-242.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/420902","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/121246920"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=420902"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/420902\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":420909,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/420902\/revisions\/420909"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/420906"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=420902"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=420902"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=420902"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}