Shell’s Venezuelan Gas Dream Goes Up in Smoke (Again): Sorry, Not Even Trump Can Save You This Time

Because Nothing Says “Energy Security” Like Betting on Shell, PDVSA, and Political Chaos All at Once

In a move that could only shock people who’ve been asleep since 2017, the Trump administration has revoked licenses for oil supermajors Shell and BP to operate natural gas projects offshore Venezuela. That’s right—just when the fossil fuel giants thought they could sneak more gas profits out of South America, boom, the U.S. pulled the plug.

🪓 From Greenlights to Guillotines: The Venezuela Whiplash

The revoked licenses affect gas projects linked to Trinidad and Tobago, which had planned to partner with Shell on the Dragon gas field, and with BP on the Cocuina-Manakin project. These projects were hyped as essential for “energy security in the Caribbean.” Because obviously, trusting Venezuela’s PDVSA and Shell to safeguard the region’s future was a totally sound strategy.

For a hot second, things were looking good. In early 2023, the U.S. Treasury handed Trinidad and Tobago a license to work with Shell and PDVSA. Shell executives probably dusted off their bonus calculators and drafted a few press releases about sustainability. But now, that license is toast.

💼 Shell’s Investors: Still Holding the Bag (of Gas)

Let’s not forget Shell’s biggest enablers: BlackRock, Vanguard, and other ESG-loving asset managers who keep shoveling capital into the company while it plays geopolitical roulette. How’s that long-term risk management working out?

Shell once again finds itself knee-deep in a region where the only thing more volatile than oil prices is the government. And BP? Same story. Just swap in a different three-letter acronym for “Oh no.”

🗣️ “We’ll Talk to the Teacher”

Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, Stuart Young, is now politely requesting a meeting with U.S. officials to beg for the reversal of the reversal. Because energy security is important. Because promises were made. Because maybe someone at Shell thought PDVSA had turned over a new leaf.

Spoiler: It hasn’t.

And while the licenses evaporate and gas projects stall, the people of Trinidad are left wondering how their national energy future got tied to a Shell-led deal in Venezuela—one of the most sanctioned, unstable oil producers on Earth.

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🤡 The Bigger Joke

Shell and BP built this mess on three pillars:

• Geopolitical chaos

• Decades of corruption at PDVSA

• Faith in Trump-era regulatory continuity

And somehow, they’re surprised it fell apart?

Shell has spent years posing as a steward of “global energy stability” while cutting clean energy investment and doubling down on high-risk fossil projects in fragile regions. Now, when the inevitable political storm hits, it wants sympathy?

Sorry. Not this time.

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🧠 Sober Reflection

For over 20 years, John Donovan has been calling Shell out on RoyalDutchShellPlc.com, exposing scandal after scandal — from spying on activists to greenwashing global pollution. Some might wonder: If any of this were false, wouldn’t Shell — with its vast legal arsenal — have shut him down by now?

They haven’t.

Because they can’t.

Because the truth doesn’t need a license.

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💥 Bottom Line?

Shell tried to sell energy security.

What it delivered was political volatility wrapped in gas-flavored spin.

Now the license is gone, the project is stalled, and the strategy?

As cracked as Shell’s public image.

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