HOUSTON, June 30 (Reuters) - Negotiators representing Venezuela have held settlement talks with bondholders and creditors owed billions of dollars from defaults and expropriation claims, the head of a board supervising the country's foreign oil assets told Reuters.
The U.S. has for years shielded Citgo from seizure under a license that will expire next month if not renewed.
Some $2.6 billion in court-approved claims from Crystallex International, ConocoPhillips (COP.N), Siemens Energy (ENR1n.DE) and Red Tree Investments could be applied to auction proceeds.
"We have progressed with the bondholders and Crystallex since party representatives officially met for the first time late last year and in February, respectively.
IN 'GOOD FAITH'A negotiation team representing Venezuela also has held talks with ConocoPhillips, but they have not swapped financial proposals, he said.
Persons:
Horacio Medina, Medina, Ryan Lance, Citgo, Marianna Parraga, Gary McWilliams, David Evans
Organizations:
Reuters, Citgo Petroleum, Crystallex International, ConocoPhillips, Siemens Energy, Tree Investments, U.S . Treasury, U.S, Thomson
Locations:
Venezuela, U.S, New York, Delaware, Washington