Under the agreements, US-based firms Hunt Overseas Oil Company and Crossover Energy will operate in the Orinoco Belt, where Venezuela's oil reserves are primarily concentrated. CARACAS: Venezuela signed deals with US companies on Thursday (Apr 30) in a bid to boost oil and gas production, the latest sign of thawing relations after Washington deposed leftist leader Nicolas Maduro . The South American nation is currently led by interim president  Delcy Rodriguez , who is cooperating under heavy