Leading Executives in Oil and Gas Exploration
Darren W. Woods
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Exxon Mobil Corporation
Long-time ExxonMobil leader who became CEO in 2017; known for doubling down on advantaged U.S. shale and scaling low‑carbon businesses while keeping capital discipline front and center.
Michael K. (Mike) Wirth
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Chevron Corporation
Chevron’s CEO since 2018; led the acquisition and integration of Hess Corporation in July 2025, expanding Chevron’s growth runway in Guyana and the Bakken.
Wael Sawan
Chief Executive Officer, Shell plc
Appointed CEO on January 1, 2023; has simplified Shell’s structure and sharpened focus on high‑return Upstream and Integrated Gas while targeting disciplined decarbonization.
Murray Auchincloss
Chief Executive Officer, BP p.l.c.
Finance veteran appointed CEO on January 17, 2024; driving a returns‑first plan to strengthen cash flow and long‑term value.
Patrick Pouyanné
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, TotalEnergies SE
At the helm since 2014; architect of TotalEnergies’ multi‑energy strategy and an LNG powerhouse, reappointed by shareholders in May 2024.
Amin H. Nasser
President & Chief Executive Officer, Saudi Aramco
CEO since 2015; led the world’s largest-ever IPO and expansion across refining, chemicals and global LNG while maintaining upstream leadership.
H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber
Managing Director & Group Chief Executive Officer, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC)
UAE minister and technologist steering ADNOC’s upstream growth and major carbon‑management projects; a key voice on pragmatic energy transition.
Saad Sherida Al‑Kaabi
President & Chief Executive Officer, QatarEnergy
Energy minister and CEO credited with delivering the massive North Field LNG expansions that cement Qatar’s role in global gas supply.
Anders Opedal
President & Chief Executive Officer, Equinor ASA
Engineer‑turned‑CEO since 2020; repositioned Equinor with strong cash generation from oil & gas while being selective on renewables.
Claudio Descalzi
Chief Executive Officer, Eni S.p.A.
CEO since 2014; advanced Eni’s gas‑led strategy in Africa and spearheaded industry climate initiatives like the OGCI.
Vicki Hollub
President & Chief Executive Officer, Occidental (Oxy)
Only woman leading a major U.S. oil company; drove the CrownRock acquisition and scaled Direct Air Capture (STRATOS) through Oxy’s 1PointFive unit.
Ryan M. Lance
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, ConocoPhillips
CEO since 2012; expanded the portfolio with the Marathon Oil acquisition (closed Nov 22, 2024) while maintaining a strict returns and buyback framework.
Ezra Yacob
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, EOG Resources, Inc.
Geoscientist‑CEO known for EOG’s premium drilling inventory model; became chairman & CEO in 2021 and assumed chairmanship in 2022.
Domenic J. “Nick” Dell’Osso, Jr.
President & Chief Executive Officer, Expand Energy Corporation (formerly Chesapeake + Southwestern)
Led Chesapeake’s pivot to gas and, in Oct 2024, closed the merger with Southwestern—rebranding as Expand Energy, now the largest independent U.S. gas producer.
Clay M. Gaspar
President & Chief Executive Officer, Devon Energy Corporation
Succeeded Rick Muncrief as CEO on March 1, 2025 after serving as COO; focused on operating excellence and shareholder returns.
John J. Christmann IV
Chief Executive Officer, APA Corporation (Apache)
Veteran operator who took over as CEO in 2015; continues to pursue high‑impact exploration (e.g., Suriname) with disciplined capital allocation.
Meg O’Neill
Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Woodside Energy
Ex-ExxonMobil executive who became CEO & MD in 2021; led the BHP Petroleum merger integration and advances Scarborough LNG and Gulf of Mexico growth.
Kevin Gallagher
Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Santos Ltd
Turnaround specialist who has transformed Santos since 2016 into a top‑tier APAC gas player, including the Oil Search merger and major CCS initiatives.
Magda Chambriard
Chief Executive Officer, Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras
Seasoned regulator‑turned‑operator appointed CEO in June 2024; charged with boosting Brazilian industry and E&P while balancing governance and investor expectations.
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