Industry experts doubt Donald Trump’s claim that US big oil firms will quickly invest tens of billions to fix Venezuela’s oil infrastructure after Nicolás Maduro’s removal. Trump said in an NBC News interview that US oil companies could expand operations in Venezuela in less than 18 months. He added, “I think we can do it in less time than that,” but admitted “it’ll be a lot of money.” However, firms like ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, and Chevron have not announced any investments. A Conoco spokesperson said, “It would be premature to speculate on any future business activities or investments.” Expert Dan Pickering expects production growth to take up to three years, with a possible increase of half a million barrels per day by late 2028 or 2029. He said the first year would involve handling contracts, the second year would focus on rebuilding, and only the third year would see real output growth. Pickering stressed the need for an “iron-clad guarantee” from the US government to protect companies from risks like nationalization or payment refusal. The Columbia University Center on Global Energy Policy estimates restoring Venezuela’s output to early 2010s levels of 2.5 million barrels per day could cost $80 billion to $90 billion over six to seven years. Trump also claimed US oil firms had been consulted before and after recent US actions in Venezuela, but company executives have denied this. The Wall Street Journal reported Trump hinted the industry to “get ready” about a month before the latest operation. Despite Trump’s optimism, experts warn US oil companies will proceed with caution and wait for clear government support before investing heavily in Venezuela.