Documents › Agency rules › 2026-09090
Treasury Department, Foreign Assets Control Office
Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 47, 48, 49, and 50
Published May 7, 2026. Printed at 91 FR 24716, amending 31 CFR 591. 2,269 words.
The Treasury bars some trade with Venezuela. This puts out written guidance on it.
What the Rule Says It Does
The Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is publishing four general licenses (GLs) issued pursuant to the Venezuela Sanctions Regulations: GLs 47, 48, 49, and 50, which were previously made available on OFAC's website.
This is the rule's own summary, as the Federal Register prints it.
The Order It Names
The rule names this order itself. What it does about it is a reading, and none is recorded here.
On the Face of the Rule
- As filed
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 88 (Thursday, May 7, 2026)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 24716-24719] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2026-09090]
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Office of Foreign Assets Control
31 CFR Part 591
Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 47, 48, 49, and 50
- AGENCY
Office of Foreign Assets Control, Treasury.
- ACTION
Publication of web general licenses.
- DATES
GL 47 was issued on February 3, 2026. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for additional relevant dates.
- FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
OFAC: Assistant Director for Regulatory Affairs, 202-622-4855; or https://ofac.treasury.gov/contact-ofac.
The fields the Federal Register prints at the head of the rule, quoted as printed. Its summary is quoted above.
Why the Agency Says It Is Doing This
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
Electronic Availability
This document and additional information concerning OFAC are available on OFAC's website: https://ofac.treasury.gov/.
The passage that opens the rule's preamble, where the agency sets out what it is doing and on what authority. Every heading that follows it is listed below.
What the Rule Contains
Every heading the Federal Register prints in this rule, in the order it prints them. 19 headings, 2,269 words in all.
- AGENCYOn its face · 7 words
- ACTIONOn its face · 6 words
- SUMMARYOn its face · 39 words
- DATESOn its face · 16 words
- FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACTOn its face · 13 words
- SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATIONPreamble · 2 words
- Electronic AvailabilityPreamble · 15 words
- BackgroundPreamble · 90 words
- OFFICE OF FOREIGN ASSETS CONTROLPreamble · 5 words
- Venezuela Sanctions RegulationsPreamble · 11 words
- Authorizing the Sale of U.S.-Origin Diluents to VenezuelaPreamble · 437 words
- OFFICE OF FOREIGN ASSETS CONTROLPreamble · 5 words
- Venezuela Sanctions RegulationsPreamble · 11 words
- Authorizing the Supply of Certain Items and Services to VenezuelaPreamble · 623 words
- OFFICE OF FOREIGN ASSETS CONTROLPreamble · 5 words
- Venezuela Sanctions RegulationsPreamble · 369 words
- OFFICE OF FOREIGN ASSETS CONTROLPreamble · 5 words
- Venezuela Sanctions RegulationsPreamble · 525 words
- BP PLC Chevron Corporation Eni S.p.A. Repsol S.A. Shell PLCPreamble · 29 words
The Rest of the Text
The preamble and the amendments to the Code of Federal Regulations, under the headings the rule prints. 12 headings, 2,115 words.
Background
On February 3, 2026, OFAC issued GL 47 to authorize certain transactions otherwise prohibited by the Venezuela Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 591 (VSR). On February 10, 2026, OFAC issued GL 48, to authorize certain transactions otherwise prohibited by the VSR. On February 13, 2026, OFAC issued GLs 49 and 50 to authorize certain transactions otherwise prohibited by the VSR. GLs 48, 49 and 50 have been superseded. These GLs were made available on OFAC's website (https://ofac.treasury.gov) when they were issued. The text of these GLs is provided below.
OFFICE OF FOREIGN ASSETS CONTROL
Venezuela Sanctions Regulations
31 CFR Part 591
GENERAL LICENSE NO. 47
Authorizing the Sale of U.S.-Origin Diluents to Venezuela
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this general license, all transactions prohibited by the Venezuela Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 591 (the VSR), including those involving the Government of Venezuela, Petr[oacute]leos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA), or any entity in which PdVSA owns, directly or indirectly, a 50 percent or greater interest (collectively, “PdVSA Entities”), that are ordinarily incident and necessary to the exportation, reexportation, sale, resale, supply, storage, marketing, delivery, or transportation of U.S.-origin diluents to Venezuela are authorized, provided that any contract for such transactions with the Government of Venezuela, PdVSA, or PdVSA Entities specify that the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction within the United States govern the contract and that any dispute resolution under the contract occur in the United States.
Note 1 to Paragraph (a). Transactions authorized by paragraph (a) include processing of payments, arranging shipping and logistics services, including chartering vessels, obtaining marine insurance and protection and indemnity (P&I) coverage, and arranging port and terminal services, including with port authorities or terminal operators that are part of the Government of Venezuela.
(b) This general license does not authorize:
(1) Payment terms that are not commercially reasonable, involve debt swaps or payments in gold, or are denominated in digital currency, digital coin, or digital tokens issued by, for, or on behalf of the Government of Venezuela, including the petro;
(2) Any transaction involving a person located in or organized under the laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Republic of Cuba, or any entity that is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by or in a joint venture with such persons;
(3) The unblocking of any property blocked pursuant to the VSR, except as provided in paragraph (a); or
(4) Any transaction involving a blocked vessel.
(c) Any person that exports, reexports, sells, resells, or supplies U.S.-origin diluents to Venezuela pursuant to this general license must provide a detailed report to [email protected] and [email protected] that identifies, for each of these transactions:
(1) The parties involved;
(2) The quantities and values; and
(3) The dates the transactions occurred.
(d) Reports described in paragraph (c) are due ten days after the execution of the first of such transactions and every 90 days thereafter while such transactions are ongoing.
Note to General License No. 47. Nothing in this general license relieves any person from compliance with the requirements of other Federal agencies, including the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security.
Bradley T. Smith, Director, Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Dated: February 3, 2026.
OFFICE OF FOREIGN ASSETS CONTROL
Venezuela Sanctions Regulations
31 CFR Part 591
GENERAL LICENSE NO. 48
Authorizing the Supply of Certain Items and Services to Venezuela
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this general license, all transactions prohibited by the Venezuela Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 591 (the VSR), including those involving the Government of Venezuela, Petr[oacute]leos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA), or any entity in which PdVSA owns, directly or indirectly, a 50 percent or greater interest (collectively, “PdVSA Entities”), that are ordinarily incident and necessary to the provision from the United States or by a U.S. person of goods, technology, software, or services for the exploration, development, or production of oil or gas in Venezuela are authorized, provided that:
(1) Any contract for such transactions with the Government of Venezuela, PdVSA, or PdVSA Entities specify that the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction within the United States govern the contract and that any dispute resolution under the contract occur in the United States; and
(2) Any monetary payment to a blocked person, excluding payments for local taxes, permits, or fees, is made into the Foreign Government Deposit Funds, as specified in Executive Order 14373 of January 9, 2026, or any other account as instructed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Note 1 to Paragraph (a). Transactions authorized by paragraph (a) include processing of payments, arranging shipping and logistics services, including chartering vessels, obtaining marine insurance and protection and indemnity (P&I) coverage, and arranging port and terminal services, including with port authorities or terminal operators that are part of the Government of Venezuela. Paragraph (a) also authorizes transactions for the maintenance of oil or gas operations in Venezuela, including the refurbishment or repair of items used for oil or gas exploration, development, or production activities.
Note 2 to Paragraph (a). See Venezuela General License No. 30B for an authorization for transactions ordinarily incident and necessary to operations or use of ports and airports in Venezuela.
(b) This general license does not authorize:
(1) Payment terms that are not commercially reasonable, involve debt swaps or payments in gold, or are denominated in digital currency, digital coin, or digital tokens issued by, for, or on behalf of the Government of Venezuela, including the petro;
(2) Any transaction involving a person located in or organized under the laws of the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Republic of Cuba, the People's Republic of China, or any entity that is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by or in a joint venture with such persons;
(3) The unblocking of any property blocked pursuant to the VSR;
(4) Any transaction involving a blocked vessel;
(5) The formation of new joint ventures or other entities in Venezuela to explore or produce oil or gas; or
(6) Any transactions or dealings related to the exportation or reexportation of diluents, directly or indirectly, to Venezuela.
(c) Any person that exports, reexports, sells, resells, or supplies goods, technology, software, or services pursuant to this general license must provide a detailed report to [email protected] and [email protected] that identifies, for each of these transactions:
(1) The parties involved;
(2) The goods, technology, software, or services involved, including quantities and values;
(3) The dates the transactions occurred; and
(4) Any taxes, fees, or other payments provided to the Government of Venezuela.
(d) Reports described in paragraph (c) are due ten days after the execution of the first of such transactions and every 90 days thereafter while such transactions are ongoing.
Note to General License No. 48. Nothing in this general license relieves any person from compliance with the requirements of other Federal agencies, including the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security.
Bradley T. Smith, Director, Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Dated: February 10, 2026.
OFFICE OF FOREIGN ASSETS CONTROL
Venezuela Sanctions Regulations
31 CFR Part 591
GENERAL LICENSE NO. 49
Authorizing Negotiations of and Entry Into Contingent Contracts for Certain Investment in Venezuela
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this general license, all transactions prohibited by the Venezuela Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 591 (the VSR), including those involving the Government of Venezuela, Petr[oacute]leos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA), or any entity in which PdVSA owns, directly or indirectly, a 50 percent or greater interest, that are related to the negotiation of and entry into contingent contracts for new investment in oil or gas sector operations in Venezuela are authorized, provided that the performance of any such contract is made expressly contingent upon separate authorization from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“contingent contracts”).
Note 1 to Paragraph (a). For purposes of this general license, the term “contingent contracts” includes executory contracts, executory pro forma invoices, agreements in principle, executory offers capable of acceptance such as bids or proposals in response to public tenders, binding memoranda of understanding, or any other similar agreement.
Note 2 to Paragraph (a). Paragraph (a) authorizes negotiating and entering into contingent contracts to engage in new oil or gas exploration, development, or production activities in Venezuela, expand existing operations in Venezuela, and to form new joint ventures or other entities in Venezuela related to the foregoing activities. Transactions authorized by paragraph (a) also include prefatory steps for such activities, such as conducting commercial, legal, technical, safety, and environmental due diligence and assessments.
(b) This general license does not authorize:
(1) Any transaction involving a person located in the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Republic of Cuba, the People's Republic of China, or any entity that is owned or controlled by or in a joint venture with such persons;
(2) The unblocking of any property blocked pursuant to the VSR; or
(3) Any transaction involving a blocked vessel.
Note to General License No. 49. Nothing in this general license relieves any person from compliance with the requirements of other Federal agencies, including the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security.
Bradley T. Smith, Director, Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Dated: February 13, 2026.
OFFICE OF FOREIGN ASSETS CONTROL
Venezuela Sanctions Regulations
31 CFR Part 591
GENERAL LICENSE NO. 50
Authorizing Transactions Related to Oil or Gas Sector Operations in Venezuela of Certain Entities
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this general license, all transactions prohibited by the Venezuela Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 591 (the VSR), including those involving the Government of Venezuela, Petr[oacute]leos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA), or any entity in which PdVSA owns, directly or indirectly, a 50 percent or greater interest (collectively, “PdVSA Entities”), that are related to oil or gas sector operations in Venezuela of the entities listed in the Annex to this general license and their subsidiaries are authorized, provided that:
(1) Any contract for such transactions with the Government of Venezuela, PdVSA, or PdVSA Entities specify that the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction within the United States govern the contract and that any dispute resolution under the contract occur in the United States; and
(2) Any monetary payment to a blocked person, excluding payments for local taxes, permits, or fees, is made into the Foreign Government Deposit Funds, as specified in Executive Order 14373 of January 9, 2026, or any other account as instructed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Note 1 to Paragraph (a)(2). Any payments of oil or gas taxes or royalties to the Government of Venezuela, PdVSA, or any PdVSA Entity must be paid into the Foreign Government Deposit Funds or any other account as instructed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
(b) This general license does not authorize:
(1) Payment terms that are not commercially reasonable, involve debt swaps or payments in gold, or are denominated in digital currency, digital coin, or digital tokens issued by, for, or on behalf of the Government of Venezuela, including the petro;
(2) Any transaction involving a person located in the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Republic of Cuba, the People's Republic of China, or any entity that is owned or controlled by or in a joint venture with such persons;
(3) The unblocking of any property blocked pursuant to the VSR; or
(4) Any transaction involving a blocked vessel.
(c) Any person that engages in transactions pursuant to this general license must provide a detailed report to [email protected] and [email protected] that identifies:
(1) The parties involved;
(2) A description of the transactions, including, as relevant, the quantities, values, and dates of the transactions; and
(3) Any taxes, fees, or other payments provided to the Government of Venezuela.
(d) Reports described in paragraph (c) are due ten days after the execution of the first of such transactions and every 90 days thereafter while such transactions are ongoing.
Note to General License No. 50. Nothing in this general license relieves any person from
compliance with the requirements of other Federal agencies, including the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security.
Bradley T. Smith, Director, Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Dated: February 13, 2026.
Annex--Entities Described in Paragraph (a) of General License 50
List of Entities Described in Paragraph (a) of General License 50 as of February 13, 2026:
Entity
BP PLC Chevron Corporation Eni S.p.A. Repsol S.A. Shell PLC
Bradley T. Smith, Director, Office of Foreign Assets Control. [FR Doc. 2026-09090 Filed 5-6-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4810-AL-P
- The rule itself
Treasury Department, Foreign Assets Control Office, “Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 47, 48, 49, and 50,” 91 FR 24716 (May 7, 2026).
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/07/2026-09090/publication-of-venezuela-sanctions-regulations-web-general-licenses-47-48-49-and-50 - This page
“Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 47, 48, 49, and 50,” a final rule naming an order indexed here. Read the Mandate, https://readthemandate.org/rules/rule-2026-09090/ (retrieved October 10, 2026).
Cite the document when the claim is about what the document says. Cite this page when the indexing, the wording or the record of what has happened is what is being relied on.
How This Rule Is Set Out
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