US nears deal to secure long-term access to Venezuela's oil reserves, sources say

U.S. officials are negotiating a deal to secure long-term access to Venezuelan oil reserves so American companies can develop a portion of the fields.
The plan likely would use a "lease" model with auctions or tenders to allocate fields to U.S. producers, guaranteeing some supply for the United States.
Sources say talks are happening at the highest levels and a deal could be signed and announced soon.