Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A., et al., Petitioners v. Helmerich & Payne International Drilling Co.

Venezuelan state oil company Petróleos de Venezuela and related entities seek review of a D.C. Circuit decision allowing Helmerich & Payne to pursue claims over Venezuela's alleged seizure of drilling property. The question is whether the act-of-state doctrine bars a U.S. court from examining that alleged taking when neither the property nor replacement property entered the United States.

The petition has been submitted to the Chief Justice, and oral argument has not been scheduled. The Venezuelan entities argue that the act-of-state doctrine should prevent Helmerich & Payne's claims from proceeding.

The case could affect foreign companies seeking damages in U.S. courts after a foreign government takes assets abroad. For example, a drilling company whose equipment is seized overseas could face a higher or lower barrier to bringing its claim in a U.S. court.

The case concerns whether a U.S. court may examine Venezuela's alleged seizure of drilling property and consider a damages claim.

Foreign businesses whose property is allegedly taken by another country's government could be affected when they seek damages in U.S. courts.

No argument is scheduled and no decision window is set. The next step is an order on whether the Court will hear the case.