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Shaping Venezuela’s Energy Future: Investment, Partnerships & Global Opportunity

Shaping Venezuela’s Energy Future: Investment, Partnerships & Global Opportunity

On 19 August 2026, government officials, U.S. energy companies, investors, operators and industry stakeholders gathered at The Post Oak Hotel in Houston, Texas to explore the opportunities shaping the next chapter of Venezuela’s oil and gas industry. Below you’ll find the speakers, photography, coverage and session presentations from the showcase.

The Houston Showcase brought together key decision-makers and industry leaders to examine emerging opportunities, discuss the evolving investment landscape and explore the commercial potential of Venezuela’s oil and gas sector.

Speakers from the showcase

Keynote Speeches 

Minister of Hydrocarbons of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela – H.E. Paula Henao

Vice President PDVSA -
Jovanny Martinez

Gallery

Relive the evening

Photography from registration, the showcase session and the networking reception at The Post Oak.

View full gallery

Latest news

Agenda

09:30 – 10:30 Delegate registration
10:30 - 10:35 Welcome and Opening Remarks
10:35 - 10:50

Keynote Address 

Venezuela's Energy Vision: Government Priorities & Strategic Vision 

A high-level overview of state policies, production targets, regulatory frameworks, and mechanisms to attract international capital. 

H.E. Paula Henao, Minister of Hydrocarbons, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

10:50 - 11:00

Keynote Address

Jovanny Martinez, Vice President, PDVSA

11:00 - 11:10

Scene Setting Presentation- TBA

Simon Sjøthun, Senior Partner & Head of Americas Advisory, Rystad Energy

11:10- 11:20

Panel Discussion

Presentation: The Time is Now: De-risking Venezuela’s Offshore Greenfields

Industry’s exclusive multi-client access to the complete seismic imaging for
evaluating and de-risking mid- and long-term exploration in offshore basins.

 

Jeniffer Masi, Chief Geoscientist, GEOEX MCG

11:25- 12:10

Panel Discussion

Investment, Partnerships and the Path Forward: International
Operators on Doing Business in Venezuela

International operators and industry leaders discuss opportunities, partnerships,
and investment conditions in Venezuela's energy sector, as well as
the practical realities of doing business.

 

Moderator: Carlos Bellorin, Executive Vice President, Macro Analysis, Welligence Energy Analytics

Speakers:

Eric McCrady, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Crossover Energy 
Scott Gilbert, Co-Founder & Non-Executive Chair, Apertura Energy
Danny Jimenez, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner, Selten Group
Blake London, Managing Partner, Formentera Partners

12:10- 12:55

Scaling Field Operations in Venezuela: Oilfield Services, Supply Chains & Logistics 

This session highlights the massive commercial opportunities for oilfield service companies,
equipment manufacturers, and logistics majors as Venezuela scales field operations to maximise output. 

Moderator: Matthew Hale, Senior Vice President for Oilfield Services, Rystad Energy

Speakers:

David Reed, EVP Americas,  Weatherford
Jorge A. Aponte, President, Baycor International
William Antonio, President, SLB México, Central America and Venezuela
German Gomez, Latin America Project Development  & Venezuela Corporate Director, Baker Hughes

12:55- 13:00

Closing remarks

Wrap up and official opening of the evening reception

13:15- 15:00 Networking Cocktail Reception