North American Blue Energy Partners, backed by the Pentagon and described as the Trump administration’s new Venezuelan partner, is accelerating preparations to raise oil production and could challenge Chevron’s longstanding position as the country’s largest private producer within months. The company has arranged 60 drilling rigs, 30 steam boilers used to move heavy oil, and 70 pieces of heavy equipment. Two rigs are scheduled to leave Houston aboard the BBC Washington for a six-day voyage to Venezuela. The move surprised Chevron and could undermine the historically competitive nature of Venezuela’s oil industry. Chevron’s shares were down 0.58%.