CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP) —Venezuela granted licenses Thursday for three foreign companies to look for and produce natural gas as the government opens up the energy sector under intense US pressure.

After the US capture of Nicolas Maduro in January, interim leader Delcy Rodriguez yielded to President Donald Trump’s administration and reformed Venezuela’s energy law so the US and other foreign companies can benefit from its vast oil reserves and other natural resources.

Since then, Venezuela has signed several agreements with foreign companies to look for, produce and export oil and gas.