New York, Jan 13, 2026, 18:10 EST — After-hours
- Exxon Mobil shares climbed roughly 2% in after-hours trading, boosted by the company’s position on Venezuela and a surge in oil prices.
- Reuters reported that Exxon is still keen on dispatching a team to evaluate Venezuela’s oil sector, despite a rebuke from Trump.
- Investors are gearing up for Exxon’s quarterly update and conference call scheduled for Jan. 30.
Shares of Exxon Mobil Corporation climbed roughly 2% in after-hours trading Tuesday, driven by investor attention on the company’s stance regarding Venezuela and a recent boost in crude prices.
The flare-up matters as Washington’s effort to revive Venezuela’s oil sector could alter long-term supply forecasts and shift the hierarchy among U.S. oil majors. For Exxon, it underscores how political shifts can affect access, contract conditions, and schedules — all factors that drive project economics well before drilling begins.
Reuters reports Exxon is still keen on a Venezuela visit and may deploy a technical team in the coming weeks to assess infrastructure and assets. This comes despite President Donald Trump hinting the company might be blocked after CEO Darren Woods labeled the country “uninvestable” without legal reforms and protections. Exxon and ConocoPhillips exited following Venezuela’s oil nationalization and are collectively owed over $13 billion; Chevron remains the only major U.S. player operating there. Mike Sommers, president of the American Petroleum Institute, stressed the need for stronger security and policy changes, including “contract sanctity.” 1
Oil prices surged over 2% Tuesday as concerns grew over potential disruptions to Iranian crude exports amid ongoing protests and government crackdowns, overshadowing talk of increased supply from Venezuela. Brent closed at $65.47 a barrel, while U.S. WTI ended at $61.15. John Evans, an analyst at PVM Oil Associates, said the market is building “price protection” against geopolitical risks — essentially, a premium tacked onto crude prices reflecting fears of supply shocks. 2
Exxon shares closed at $126.54, climbing $2.49 from the day before. Chevron edged up roughly 0.9%, and ConocoPhillips added about 1.0%, boosting oil-related stocks across the board.
The Venezuela angle isn’t really about next quarter’s numbers but who gains entry first — and under what terms. Before nationalization, Venezuela’s state oil firm PDVSA was in control, and investors know well how drawn-out disputes and arbitration have been in the past.
The runway remains uncertain. A softer U.S. approach doesn’t clear away unpaid claims, security concerns, or the chance that terms might shift once more. Plus, a swift influx of Venezuelan oil could weigh on crude prices, which have been propping up energy stocks this week.
Exxon is set to report its fourth-quarter 2025 results on Friday, Jan. 30, with a management call planned for 8:30 a.m. Central Time, according to the company’s investor website. 3
Traders heading into Wednesday’s session will be on the lookout for clear signals from the White House about Venezuela’s framework. They’ll also watch to see if the oil rally can sustain itself amid ongoing headlines from Iran and disruptions in global supply routes.
