Continental Resources, the oil company founded by major Trump donor Harold Hamm, is moving to develop an oil-producing region in Venezuela, a notable step given the two countries’ historically strained relationship and the sanctions regime that has long constrained American energy investment there.

Venezuela holds some of the world’s largest proven oil reserves, but years of sanctions, underinvestment and state mismanagement have left much of that capacity underdeveloped. Any significant American private investment would mark a meaningful change in how US companies engage with the Venezuelan energy sector.

Hamm’s ties to the administration are likely to draw scrutiny over how energy policy and personal business interests intersect, a recurring theme in coverage of major donors with significant industry holdings.