Chevron Corp. was ordered to return nearly 1 million barrels of Venezuelan oil to Petroleos de Venezuela SA in a blow to the oil major, which was working to secure crude before wrapping up operations in the country when a US sanctions deadline hits in May.

Chevron Corporation, a major U.S.-based oil company, has been told to send back almost 1 million barrels of oil to Venezuela. This unexpected order comes just as Chevron was trying to secure as much oil as possible before shutting down its operations in the country.

At least two vessels carrying Venezuelan crude chartered by Chevron are stalled due to state oil company PDVSA canceling their export authorizations, according to shipping data and sources, as the government had no certainty of payment amid the hardening of U.