Venezuela signed oil contracts with two U.S. companies to increase the capital needed to produce its crude oil.

Paola Henäo, Venezuela’s Minister of Oil, said in a television interview on Tuesday from Houston that the agreements were signed with SLB, an oilfield services company, and Hunt Oil, an independent producer.

Based on a report by the news website Politico, several U.S. independent producers are expected to sign production contracts with Venezuela’s state oil company in the coming days.

On Monday, Chris Wright, the U.S. energy secretary, said the United States is increasing energy production in Venezuela, Alaska and Texas to fill the gap caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.