Crypto and Oil combined for a $200B surge following the Caracas raid | Credit: Veronica Cestari
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Key Takeaways
U.S. oil stocks added over $100 billion in collective market value, led by Chevron.
U.S. refineries are poised to boost their margins by accessing cheaper Venezuelan crude.
This analysis reveals what could be next for the Chevron CVX price per share.
In the wake of the high-stakes U.S. military raid and the capture of Nicolás Maduro, the crypto market added nearly $100 billion in market cap.
This happened as Bitcoin’s (BTC) price surged above $92,000. XRP reclaimed $2 in the process, while Ethereum (ETH) briefly hit $3,200.
However, cryptocurrencies are not the only ones that have gained from the development.
The American energy sector has witnessed a historic windfall.
Led by Chevron (CVX), U.S. oil majors saw a staggering $100 billion surge in collective market valuation.
As the U.S. moves to secure Venezuela’s vast reserves, we examine why the stocks linked to this “black gold” surged. In this analysis, CCN also examines what could be next for the CVX price.
How US Oil Stocks Surged
U.S. energy stocks surged following news of a dramatic military operation in Venezuela.
Over the weekend, U.S. forces captured President Nicolás Maduro, sparking a massive rally in the oil sector.Markets reacted immediately to President Trump’s announcement that the U.S. would temporarily oversee the country and rebuild its energy infrastructure.
As a result, major oil companies added more than $100 billion in combined market capitalization.
Chevron’s CVX, which maintains a significant operational footprint in Venezuela, led the gains with an 11% jump, adding $35 billion to its value alone.
According to CCN’s findings, this surge happened because investors expect the removal of Maduro to unlock the world’s largest oil reserves for American firms.
But it’s not just Chevron that saw notable gains. The following U.S. oil stocks saw significant gains:
Chevron ($CVX): +11%
Valero ($VLO): +11%
ConocoPhillips ($COP): +10%
Marathon ($MPC): +10%
Exxon Mobil ($XOM): +7%
Phillips 66 ($PSX): +6%
Occidental Petroleum ($OXY): +4%
EOG Resources ($EOG): +4%
Devon Energy ($DVN): +4%
Kinder Morgan ($KMI): +3%
Beyond the surge in market values, it appears that the development could have other impacts. Some of these include:
Chevron’s Unique Advantage
Chevron currently holds a unique position as the only major U.S. oil company with a significant operational footprint in Venezuela.
While competitors fled or faced ousting years ago, Chevron maintained its presence through joint ventures with the state-owned PDVSA.
Crucially, the company operated under specific U.S. licenses that allowed it to protect its interests despite shifting political tides. Consequently, the U.S remains in charge for the time being, and Chevron’s CVX could see its market value increase.
Potential Reclamation of Lost Assets
The recent military raid and political shift have reignited hope for other industry giants.
Specifically, companies like ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips may finally recover billions in assets seized during the Chávez era in 2007.
These firms have spent nearly two decades pursuing international arbitration to recoup their losses. Now, a pro-Western transition could provide the leverage needed to secure long-awaited compensation or the return of high-value infrastructure.
The Prize: Access to 300 Billion Barrels
Venezuela possesses the world’s largest proven crude oil reserves, accounting for approximately 17% of the global total.
If the U.S. successfully installs a stable administration, American companies could secure production rights that were previously out of reach.
Access to these 300 billion barrels offers a generational opportunity. Furthermore, these long-term production rights would guarantee a steady supply of energy for decades to come.
Strategic Heavy Crude Needs
U.S. refineries, particularly along the Gulf Coast, are specialized to process the “heavy” crude oil found in Venezuelan fields.
These facilities currently rely on expensive imports or less efficient light domestic blends. By securing access to local, cheaper heavy crude, integrated oil companies can significantly boost their profit margins.
Ultimately, this geographic and technical alignment makes Venezuela the most logical partner for the American refining industry.
CVX Price Prediction
From a technical perspective, Chevron CVX is trading at $155.90 after breaking out of a long-term descending channel on the daily chart.
This breakout signals that the previous downward trend may have finally come to an end.
Currently, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) is rising toward 64, which reflects growing bullish momentum without yet reaching overbought territory.
Furthermore, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) has formed a bullish crossover, providing additional technical support for the move.
If this trend persists, the price might rally toward $169.08 — a level it last touched in April.
Moreover, some analysts have set median price targets of around $172.50, suggesting a double-digit upside if the momentum holds.
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as, financial advice. We do not make any warranties regarding the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of this information. All investments involve risk, and past performance does not guarantee future results. We recommend consulting a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
Victor Olanrewaju is a crypto analyst and reporter at CCN with deep roots in on-chain research and technical analysis. His crypto journey began in 2017, but it was the 2020 Uniswap airdrop that sparked a full-time pivot into the space.
With a foundation in copywriting, Victor honed his craft creating high-converting content for leading crypto brokers — most notably an XRP price prediction that ranked #1 on Google during the 2021 bull run.
He later joined AMBCrypto in 2022, where he combined storytelling with technical and on-chain analysis to cover key market narratives.
In 2024, he expanded his expertise at BeInCrypto, collaborating with analysts and using tools like Glassnode, Santiment, and IntoTheBlock to break down Bitcoin and altcoin trends.
At CCN, Victor covers the top cryptocurrencies, memecoins, macro shifts, blending real-time insights with deep-dive metrics.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physics from the University of Ibadan, equipping him to simplify complex data for a wide audience. Follow his work or connect on LinkedIn or X.
