U.S. refiners still have the capacity to process additional volumes of Venezuelan crude oil as production from the South American nation continues to recover, according to U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright.

Speaking at an energy event in Port Houston, Wright said American refineries, particularly those along the U.S. Gulf Coast, are gradually adjusting to handle increased shipments of heavy crude oil from Venezuela. He noted that refiners typically plan crude purchases months in advance, meaning changes in supply take time to be reflected in operations.

Current tanker monitoring data indicates that Venezuela exports around 1.25 million barrels of oil per day, with approximately half of that volume heading to the United States. The remaining exports are primarily shipped to India and Europe. Officials expect Venezuelan exports to increase further in the coming months.

Venezuela’s oil ministry has projected production could rise to 1.37 million barrels per day by the end of 2026, representing a significant increase compared with late 2025 levels. Industry observers note that many Gulf Coast refineries are designed to process heavy crude grades similar to those produced in Venezuela.

At the same time, U.S. domestic oil production remains strong. According to Wright, American crude output reached a record 13.6 million barrels per day last year, reinforcing the country’s position as one of the world’s largest oil and fuel exporters.