31 March 2015, News Wires – Jay Johnson is to succeed George Kirkland as executive vice president for upstream at US giant Chevron.
The 56-year-old, currently senior vice president for upstream, is to take on the top role from 16 June, the day after Kirkland leaves the supermajor.
Johnson was promoted to his current role only in early 2014, having previously been president of Chevron’s Europe, Eurasia and Middle East exploration & production operations and managing director of its Eurasia business unit.
In the latter role he was responsible for upstream and transportation activities in Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Russia and Turkey.
Previously Johnson has also served as managing director of Chevron’s Australasia business unit, responsible for exploration and planning for the development of the Wheatstone and Greater Gorgon area gas fields.
Kirkland, 64, has held the top upstream role since 2005 and was elected vice chairman in 2010. He has variously been president of Chevron’s North America and international upstream businesses as well as working for the company in Indonesia and Nigeria.
“Under his stewardship, the company … applied advanced gas injection technology to grow production at the Tengiz field in Kazakhstan, developed groundbreaking Lower Tertiary resources at the Jack-St Malo fields in the Gulf of Mexico, assembled a world-class shale oil and gas position in North America, enhanced functional capabilities and base business reliability, and developed long-lived liquefied natural gas assets at Gorgon and Wheatstone in Australia,” Chevron said of Kirkland’s time at the helm.
Chief executive John Watson added: “George’s business acumen and deep operational knowledge of our industry have helped create enormous value for Chevron and our shareholders over many years.
“I am confident our track record of success in the upstream will continue under Jay’s leadership, as his broad base of experience has prepared him well for the job.”
Chevron also revealed that Joe Geagea, senior vice president for technology, projects and services, has been promoted to executive vice president for that division.
– Upstream