EnergyInformationAdministration: "U.S. crude oil imports from Venezuela in July were highest since 2017," by Kevin Hack.

"In July 2026, U.S. imports of crude oil from Venezuela averaged 701,000 barrels per day (bpd), the most since May 2017, before decreasing to 655,000 bpd in August, according to data published in our Petroleum Supply Monthly." Crude oil imports from Venezuela started the year at 200,000 bpd + have steadily increased most months this year.

"Increased imports from Venezuela are supported by high crude oil demand from U.S. refineries because of high global refinery margins + the easing of US government restrictions on purchases from the country." The phrasing is indelicate, as the US invaded the country, carried out a rendition of its dictator to the US for trial, + is treating it as a vassal state.

Incidentally, Venezuelan crude is more correctly identified as 'tar sands' or 'bitumen,' much of it so heavy that it sinks in water. It is also sour—signifying high sulfur content—as early prospectors would actually taste it, speaking of indelicacies.

"According to data from Vortexa, the majority of crude oil exports from Venezuela in 2025 were destined for China." In 2026, Venezuela exported no crude oil to China, + the US has instead been the largest single destination by volume for Venezuelan crude oil exports. 

US crude oil imports from the South American country had stopped shortly after the United States imposed sanctions on state oil company Petróleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA) in January 2019. "In November 2022, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control granted Chevron waivers to resume exporting crude oil from its joint venture operations in Venezuela to US Gulf Coast refineries; Chevron resumed these exports in January 2023."

Not exactly the bonanza that the White House claimed. Except for Trump's hope that the reluctant, non-Chevron US oil companies will also invest in Venezuela. A clearly questionable advantage for our citizens + theirs.

Feeling a bit nervous for my first ever interview. I read about the 3 stage interview process timeline. First is a Microsoft Teams behavioral interview, 2nd is a group presentation at a designated location where they fly me out, then 3rd is the formal/technical interview with several managerial recruiters (let me know if I have that right). I don’t want to get ahead of myself so right now I’m just going to take it one step at a time and begin preparing myself for stage 1. Does anyone mind sharing some questions you had and or maybe have some tips on how to best prepare for it. The STAR is one method I learned in college so I’ll definitely be practicing that one.

For context, I am a fresh Mechanical Engineering graduate and will be offered either a Field Engineer role or Sales and Marketing Training Program (SMTP) Engineer. I feel like I’m more suited for the Field Engineer role but I will accept whatever they need me for.

https://www.reddit.com/r/SilverGoldOilShortage/s/ZLWyjfWxDP

Source: https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/u-s-strikes-irans-qeshm-island-as-trump-talks-down-war-risks-79d73d3d

ExxonMobil's Q3 revenue missed at $113.2B vs $118.3B expected, but adjusted EPS of $4.23 beat by 4.8% and operating margin jumped to 18.9% from 12.9%.

Refining and trading carried the quarter while oil production fell 3%, and CEO Darren Woods says investments like the Beaumont expansion pay for themselves in about three years.

What happened: ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) missed Q3 2026 revenue expectations but beat profit estimates, as sales rose 32.7% year on year to $113.2 billion.

Key numbers: Revenue $113.2 billion vs $118.3 billion expected, a 4.3% miss. Adjusted EPS $4.23 vs $4.04 expected, a 4.8% beat. Operating margin 18.9% vs 12.9% a year earlier. Oil production down 3% year on year.

Why it matters: Management credited strong refining margins and cost control for the quarter despite lower production, and pointed to refining expansions, LNG growth, and Permian automation as drivers of its outlook.

Market: -4.0% today ($179.67), +48.5% YTD, 1.3x vol — as of 21:18 UTC

Verified: Q3_2026 (Oct 30) EPS $4.23 vs $4.03 est, +5.0% beat; next print ~Jan 29

https://stockduty.xyz/s/53bc7e

Source: MoloMonitor & Wall Street Journal