Chevron Appoints Emmanuelle Garinet as Director of Exploration for the Americas and Sub-Saharan Africa
American oil giant, Chevron, has made a significant leadership change by appointing Emmanuelle Garinet as the new director of Exploration for the Americas and Sub-Saharan Africa. This strategic move places Garinet, a distinguished geophysicist with over thirty years of international exploration expertise, at the helm of discovery operations in two of the company’s most crucial upstream regions.
A Veteran in International Exploration
Garinet’s move to Chevron comes with a wealth of experience in global petroleum exploration. She has previously held senior positions at TotalEnergies, leading exploration programs across various regions, including Africa and South America. Her extensive background will be instrumental as Chevron continues to capitalize on emerging exploration opportunities in frontier basins across Africa and established producing regions in the Americas.
Reinforcing Chevron’s Commitment to Africa
As African energy markets gain renewed attention, the importance of leadership with deep technical knowledge becomes increasingly evident. NJ Ayuk, the executive chairman of the African Energy Chamber (AEC), emphasized, “Her appointment at Chevron sends a strong signal about the continued importance of African energy development.” Garinet’s extensive geological insight will be vital in guiding exploration strategies aimed at unlocking new resources and attracting global investment.
Chevron’s initiatives across Sub-Saharan Africa are advancing rapidly, with a focus on offshore prospects that have attracted renewed interest from various international oil companies.
Exploration Opportunities in Africa
Namibia: A Frontier of Potential
Namibia has emerged as a focal point for exploration, highlighted by significant discoveries in the Orange basin. Chevron is actively evaluating prospects in the Walvis basin and has plans to drill an exploration well in Petroleum Exploration License (PEL) 82 between 2026 and 2027.
West Africa: Expanding Deepwater Operations
In West Africa, Chevron is bolstering its deepwater presence offshore Nigeria, following the acquisition of a 40% stake from TotalEnergies in offshore licenses PPL 2000 and PPL 2001. The company plans to deploy a drilling rig in late 2026, targeting resources adjacent to the Agbami field.
Angola: A Cornerstone in Chevron’s Portfolio
Angola remains a key component of Chevron’s African operations. The company achieved first oil from the South N’dola platform in Block 0 in December 2025, producing approximately 25,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd). This project also supports Angola’s gas monetization strategy by supplying associated gas to the Angola LNG plant, thereby reducing flaring.
Investment in the Americas
Outside of Africa, Chevron’s exploration strategy is equally ambitious across the Americas.
United States: Permian Basin Production Growth
In the U.S., Chevron is poised to expand its production in the Permian basin, with output expected to approach 1 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (MMboed) by 2026. The company continues to see deepwater developments in the Gulf of Mexico as a cornerstone of its long-term production growth strategy.
South America: Strategic Positioning in Guyana
In South America, Chevron’s acquisition of Hess Corp. grants it a stake in the high-potential Stabroek block in Guyana, solidifying the company’s position in one of the world’s fastest-growing offshore oil regions. Additionally, Chevron’s unconventional development in Argentina’s Vaca Muerta formation supports ongoing production growth in the region.
Garinet’s Notable Achievements
Emmanuelle Garinet began her esteemed career as a geophysicist specializing in seismic interpretation and subsurface analysis. Throughout her time at TotalEnergies, she led significant exploration teams, including the one responsible for the Venus discovery offshore Namibia—one of the largest deepwater oil finds in recent years, which is anticipated to progress to a final investment decision in 2026.
For more information about Chevron’s exploration initiatives and Emmanuelle Garinet’s vision for the future, visit Chevron’s official website.
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