Venezuela claims major oil stake

The Venezuelan government will take majority control of oil projects in the Orinoco River basin by May 1 and any foreign oil company that resists can leave, President Hugo Chavez said Thursday as he elaborated on his sweeping nationalization plans.

Chavez told a news conference that his government is "not posing any conflict" to oil companies British Petroleum, Exxon Mobil, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Total SA and Statoil ASA that are upgrading heavy oil in the Orinoco.

Chavez, who a day earlier was given power by congress to issue laws by decree in energy and other areas, said he was ready to sign a decree for the nationalization of the four Orinoco projects by May 1. He said that state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela SA, would take a stake of "no less than 60 percent."

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