The Daily Journal – Multinational oilfield services companies are taking their first steps toward deploying personnel, equipment, and machinery in Venezuela. Specifically, Weatherford International, Baker Hughes, Halliburton, and SLB are advertising dozens of job openings in the country on their websites. This development offers an early sign that a Washington-backed plan to rebuild Venezuela’s energy industry is gaining momentum.
Operational expansion and new job openings
This hiring drive could help reverse the exodus of companies and skilled professionals that occurred during the sanctions era. The development comes as President Donald Trump’s administration pushes forward with a $100 billion plan to revive the sector.
For its part, Weatherford advertised at least 20 job openings last month for its operations centers in Anaco and Maturín, seeking supervisors, specialists, and engineers. A source indicated that the company will hold an event this month alongside Eni, following its September agreement with Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA) to expand operations in the Orinoco Oil Belt.
Meanwhile, Baker Hughes has posted approximately a dozen job openings in Maracaibo, Venezuela’s second-largest oil-producing region. Similarly, SLB has advertised 35 vacancies in Anaco, Maturín, and Caracas, while Halliburton has said it intends to expand its talent network.
Drilling rigs return
Drilling equipment is beginning to return, although activity remains extremely low. According to Baker Hughes data, Venezuela had only two active drilling rigs this month. However, North American Blue Energy Partners received two drilling units last week, and Chevron expects to activate another four soon.
Additionally, Patterson-UTI reported that it is shipping components for 10 older drilling rigs. The company’s CEO, Andy Hendricks, commented on the equipment: “They’ll be fine for Venezuela.”
According to Welligence Energy Analytics, companies will focus their deployment efforts on workover rigs for mature wells. This approach could help increase crude oil production from 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd) to about 1.5 million bpd by the end of 2027.
Finally, Andrés Armijos, Welligence’s director for Latin America, offered a cautiously optimistic assessment: “In reality, this will take time.”
With information from Banca y Negocios
