U.S. oil companies are importing crude oil from Venezuela for the first time in nearly four years

The US oil company Chevron is sending two oil tankers to Venezuela, several media reported on December 30, local time, citing sources familiar with the matter. The first tanker arrived in Venezuelan waters on Wednesday, and the second will arrive early next month to carry Venezuelan crude oil to the United States. It will be the first time in nearly four years that the US has imported Venezuelan crude oil.

In November, the U.S. Treasury Department announced it had granted Chevron a permit allowing the company to resume limited operations in Venezuela. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said the US move was a step in the "right direction" and demanded that US sanctions on Venezuela's oil industry be completely lifted.

Venezuela is one of the world's leading oil producers. The crisis in Ukraine has exacerbated global energy supply constraints and helped push the international community to speed up efforts to resolve Venezuela's sanctions woes.