Venezuela after Maduro: Oil market implications | Jan 2026
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Synopsis
This expert panel discussion examines the effects of recent Venezuelan political developments on global energy markets. Industry leaders analyse the strategic implications of U.S. administration actions regarding Maduro's regime, exploring how political instability in the world's largest oil reserve holder is reshaping crude supply dynamics, transforming tanker markets, and driving unprecedented changes in sanctions enforcement and deceptive shipping practices.
What you'll learn
Strategic policy context: understand the U.S. administration's strategic intent and the specific prerequisites needed for Venezuela to achieve meaningful production increases
Supply & demand dynamics: grasp the immediate and long-term crude oil market implications, from export blockade impacts to future investment opportunities in Venezuelan reserves
Tanker market transformation: discover how shifting demand from shadow fleet to commercial vessels is driving rate increases and creating oversupply challenges for displaced vessels
Sanctions evolution: learn about the escalation from passive sanctions to active maritime enforcement and the resulting surge in deceptive shipping practices
Investment implications: identify emerging opportunities and risks in Venezuelan energy assets and related shipping markets as the political situation evolves
Market indicators: recognise key signals to watch for future developments in Venezuelan oil exports and their global market impact
Meet the speakers
Amena Bakr
Amena Bakr is the Head of Middle East Energy & OPEC-plus research at Kpler, based in Dubai. She leads oil market analysis, OPEC policy research, and risk assessments in the Middle East. Previously, she was a senior research analyst at Energy Intelligence Group and served as Chief OPEC Correspondent and Dubai Deputy Bureau Chief for eight years, earning multiple journalism awards, including the 2023 OPEC award for best journalist. She also worked as an Energy Correspondent for Reuters in Dubai, Doha, and Riyadh, covering energy and political risk. Amena holds a BA in Business Administration from the Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport in Egypt, with a major in management information systems.
Homayoun Falakshahi
Homayoun brings over 11 years of experience in theoil and gas industry, with a strong track record inmarket analysis and strategic insight. He leads Kpler’s crude oil analysis team, managing ateam of analysts focused on global oil marketdynamics, from supply and demand fundamentals togeopolitical drivers. Homayoun frequently delivers insights to globalclients and speaks at major industry events. Homayoun holds an MSc in Energy Management fromESCP Europe and an MA in MENA Geopolitics fromSciences Po Grenoble. He is fluent in Farsi and French and is based in Paris, France.
Matt Wright
Matthew Wright is the Lead Freight Analyst at Kpler. In his role, he leads on providing clients with expertise, analysis and research on the freight markets. Prior to Kpler, Matthew was a Senior Tanker Analyst at SSY ship brokers, where he was responsible for analysing oil tanker markets, leading the development of new models and handling consulting inquiries. Matthew has extensive oil market experience from seven years in consulting at Argus Media where he worked on a range of single client projects before moving on to manage the delivery the subscription reports focusing on freight, crude and refined products.
Dimitris Ampatzidis
Dimitris is a Senior Risk and Compliance Analyst with deep shipping industry expertise in risk assessment, governance, and data analytics. He has led the launch of industry-standard risk products and developed comprehensive sanctions and compliance protocols. At Lloyd’s Register, he was the go-to expert for Port State Control (PSC) analytics, delivering training to shipping professionals and developing emissions reporting and sanctions frameworks. Previously, he helped build the RISK4SEA platform at SAFETY4SEA. He holds Master’s degrees in IT Project Management and Information Systems, and a Bachelor’s in Statistics and Insurance Science.
