It's possible, but we'll probably never know. However, the WTI price is under $60 and going down. The last thing any big oil companies need is more crude supply into the market lowering the benchmark price even lower, especially particularly expensive (to extract) Venezuelan crude

> The last thing any big oil companies need is more crude supply into the market lowering the benchmark price even lower, especially particularly expensive (to extract) Venezuelan crude

Check Chevron's stock on Monday to see if you're right. My prediction: It will be significantly up, showing that the action benefited them.

I think you’re looking in the short term. Long term control of those supplies would be valuable.

US controls those supplies anyway because nobody else is going to develop the capabilities to profitably extract Venezuelan crude. Not Venezuela, certainly not China or Russia.