Official Gazette No. 43,387, dated June 1, 2026, published Decree No. 5,354, which establishes the Academic Council on Hydrocarbons as a permanent advisory and consultative body attached to the Ministry of the People’s Power for Hydrocarbons. The Council’s purpose is to strengthen coordination between the academic sector and the national energy industry, promoting the training of specialized talent, applied research, and technological innovation in support of energy sovereignty policies and the development of new industrial models for the hydrocarbons sector.

The creation of this body responds to the need identified by the National Executive to rebuild and strengthen the country’s technical, scientific, and professional capabilities in the oil and gas sector. The Decree expressly recognizes the strategic importance of human capital for the industry’s future development and seeks to align university education with the operational, technological, and regulatory needs of the Venezuelan energy sector. It also establishes a formal coordination mechanism between the Ministry of Hydrocarbons, universities, and other sector stakeholders to support the sustainable development of the Venezuelan energy industry.

Main Functions of the Academic Council on Hydrocarbons:

• To advise the Ministry of Hydrocarbons on academic matters and specialized training.
• To make recommendations to the National Council of Universities (CNU) for the development and updating of curricula related to hydrocarbons.
• Propose technical education and specialized training programs for the sector.
• To make recommendations on educational policies related to the energy industry.
• To evaluate technological and industrial advances that could be incorporated into university programs.
• Promote research, technological innovation, and the training of specialized talent in the hydrocarbons sector.

Implications for the industry:

• Strengthens the training process for professionals and technicians needed for the expansion of Venezuela’s energy sector.
• It facilitates greater coordination among universities, research centers, and the hydrocarbons industry.
• It can contribute to updating academic programs to respond to the new contractual and operational modalities resulting from the 2026 energy reform.
• It represents a public policy signal aimed at restoring national technical capabilities and strengthening local content.
• It could generate future opportunities for cooperation among operators, universities, and national and international research centers.
• Its practical impact will depend on the effective implementation of academic recommendations and the availability of resources for training and research programs.

ENTRA Comment: The creation of the Academic Council on Hydrocarbons is one of the most significant institutional initiatives to support the recovery of the Venezuelan energy industry from a human capital perspective. The measure reflects the government’s recognition that the sector’s future growth will require not only investment and technology but also a new generation of professionals and technicians trained to operate under the new contractual, regulatory, and technological frameworks emerging from the 2026 energy reform. Although the Council is essentially advisory and academic in nature, its creation sends a positive signal regarding the intention to strengthen national capabilities, promote innovation, and prepare the workforce that will be needed for the expansion of oil, gas, and petrochemical activities in the coming years.