Eni Becomes Operator of 35-Billion-Barrel Venezuelan Oil Field

Eni Becomes Operator of 35-Billion-Barrel Venezuelan Oil Field

Wed, September 2, 2026 at 9:55 PM GMT+3 2 min read

Italy's Eni has signed a 25-year contract with Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA that makes the Italian energy major the exclusive operator of the giant Junín-5 heavy-oil field in the Orinoco Belt.

The agreement gives Eni responsibility for the technical, financial and commercial management of Junín-5, which contains an estimated 35 billion barrels of certified oil in place but currently produces just 12,000 barrels per day.

The deal marks a significant change from the previous Petrojunín joint-venture structure, under which PDVSA held 60% and Eni 40%. Venezuela's recently reformed hydrocarbons law allows foreign and domestic companies greater autonomy to operate fields, market production and receive proceeds from oil sales.

The signing took place during U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright's visit to Caracas and comes amid a broader revival of foreign investment in Venezuela's oil industry. Chevron separately announced plans to invest $7 billion over five years and more than double its Venezuelan production to 600,000 bpd by 2031.

Eni has major ambitions for Junín-5. The company originally envisioned developing the field to 240,000 bpd, although that target—initially planned for 2018—was never achieved. The Financial Times reported Wednesday that Eni plans to invest around $1.5 billion annually as it ramps up the project.

Eni has operated in Venezuela since 1998. Its other assets include the Perla offshore gas field with Repsol and a 26% stake in PetroSucre.

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