GL 47: Diluents are the key that unlocks production — and the license nobody is reading
Without naphtha, the extra-heavy crude from the Orinoco Belt does not flow. GL 47 authorizes the sale of U.S.-origin diluents to Venezuela.
Without naphtha, the extra-heavy crude from the Orinoco Belt does not flow. GL 47 authorizes the sale of U.S.-origin diluents to Venezuela — the missing piece to scale production from 1M to 2M bpd. It is the most technical license in the package and the most strategic for actual production volume.
GL 47 is not an extension of GL 46. It is its necessary complement. GL 46/46B authorizes U.S. companies to purchase Venezuelan crude. GL 47 authorizes them to sell the input that makes that crude exportable. Without diluents, Venezuela produces bitumen. With diluents, it produces Merey 16 — a tradeable crude that Gulf of Mexico refineries know how to process. The relationship is chemical, not merely commercial.
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GL 48D — Supply of Goods and Services to Venezuela
Authorizes the supply from the U.S. or by a U.S. person of goods, technology, software or services for oil, gas and petrochemical exploration, development and production —including maintenance and repair of equipment—, and for electricity generation, transmission, storage and distribution in Venezuela. As of September 28, 2026, the petrochemical annex lists methanol. The formation of new joint ventures remains outside the license. Supersedes GL 48C.