China has bought some crude oil sold by the US government" - US Energy Secretary Chris Wright informed in an exchange with reporters in Caracas. However, US officials did not elaborate on the amount of Venezuelan oil sold to China through the US.
When asked about the possibility of joint ventures in this South American country, Energy Minister Chris Wright said that "legal business agreements of Chinese businesses in legal commercial conditions" can all be accepted.
In January, the global oil market was shaken when US forces entered Venezuela, arrested President Nicolás Maduro and Washington announced control of Venezuela's crude oil industry.
Since then, traders have been looking for signals about the possibility of a sharp increase in Venezuela's oil production as well as how Venezuela's oil blocks will be redirected.
Chinese refineries - the world's largest oil importer - were once the largest Venezuelan oil buyers.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has not immediately commented on the statement of the US Energy Secretary.
After the US arrested President Maduro, President Donald Trump said that Venezuela would transfer from 30 million to 50 million barrels of oil to the US.
In Asia, some Indian refineries have purchased Merey oil, Venezuela's key oil, after the US move. The Indian government has also asked state-owned enterprises to consider buying more oil from Venezuela and the US. In addition, Venezuelan oil has also been exported to other markets, including Israel.
