Global Roundup: Venezuela Output Rises, India Eyes Control, Philippines Hydrogen Potential

Venezuela's oil production has surged to multiyear highs, reaching just over one million barrels per day in June 2026, according to OPEC data cited by OilPrice.com. This represents a 17.6% increase over 2025, driven by regulatory reforms, eased U.S. sanctions, and greater foreign investment following the capture of President Nicolas Maduro in early January 2026. The growth comes at a crucial time as conflict in the Middle East disrupts traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, crimping global supply.

Despite the increase, Venezuela's output remains less than half of the 2.1 million barrels per day produced a decade ago. Industry experts estimate it could take up to $220 billion and at least a decade to repair heavily corroded infrastructure and return production to historic levels over two million barrels per day, OilPrice.com reported. A new petroleum law signed in July 2026 offers incentives, but experts note the oil minister retains significant discretion, creating uncertainty for foreign investors.

In a related development, India’s state-owned ONGC is poised to take over operational control of two Venezuelan oil projects from PDVSA, according to a Reuters report. ONGC Videsh holds a 40% stake in the San Cristobal field and an 18% interest in the Carabobo-1 project. The company's finance director said new agreements are expected "very soon" under Venezuela's new law, as sanctions-related constraints have eased.

Separately, ONGC disclosed it regained its full 20% stake in Russia's Sakhalin-1 project in December, doubling its quarterly revenue contribution from the asset to roughly 10 billion Indian rupees ($105 million), OilPrice.com reported. The moves come as India's purchases of Venezuelan crude cooled in July, with exports falling 25% to about 856,000 barrels per day as improving Middle East supply reduced Asian demand for discounted barrels.

In other global energy news, the Philippines could become the world's first geologic hydrogen hub, OilPrice.com reported. The nation reportedly has the largest natural hydrogen seeps on Earth, attracting startups like Koloma, which is backed by Bill Gates and Amazon. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates geologic hydrogen could be produced for less than $1 per kilogram, far cheaper than current green hydrogen, potentially offering a new, low-cost clean energy source.

The renewed global interest in hydrogen alternatives is partly driven by the ongoing energy crisis emanating from the Strait of Hormuz. For Bakken operators, these global shifts highlight the complex interplay of geopolitics, supply disruptions, and emerging energy technologies that influence the broader oil market and competitive landscape.