[Meanwhile Chavez is picking fights with foreign oil companies — including Shell, ExxonMobil, Repsol YPF, Chevron, BP, and Total that have been working in Venezuela for years. Thirty-two publicly traded oil companies are accused of owing Venezuela $4 billion in back taxes for overproduction — something they deny. This follows Venezuela's hikes in production royalties from 1% to 16.7% in October, hikes in taxes on operating agreements from 32% to 50% in April, and a declared end to contracted dollar payments to foreign oil field operators in May.] The desire to operate in Venezuela, ... is fading fast. Kyle Cooper