Chevron to Relocate Headquarters from California to Houston
Chevron has announced plans to move its headquarters from San Ramon, California, to Houston, Texas, marking the first time in over a century that the energy giant will not be headquartered in California. The transition is set to begin with Chevron Chairman and CEO Mike Wirth and Vice Chairman Mark Nelson relocating to Houston by the end of 2024. The company will gradually shift other corporate functions over the next five years.
While the move represents a significant shift for Chevron, some roles will remain in San Ramon, particularly those supporting the company’s crude oil fields, technical facilities, two refineries, and over 1,800 retail stations in California. Currently, Chevron employs about 2,000 people in San Ramon and approximately 7,000 in the Houston area.
Chevron’s decision to leave California follows a trend of businesses exiting the state, often citing high operating costs and stringent regulatory laws. This announcement comes shortly after Elon Musk revealed plans to relocate the headquarters of SpaceX and X (formerly known as Twitter) from California to Texas, citing dissatisfaction with California’s regulatory environment.
Although Chevron did not specify the reasons for its move, the company has faced multiple lawsuits in California, including allegations of environmental and public health damage. Last September, the state filed a lawsuit against Chevron and four other major oil companies, accusing them of misleading the public about the risks of fossil fuels and contributing to environmental harm. Chevron responded by emphasizing the global nature of climate change and criticizing the legal actions as unproductive.
As Chevron prepares to make this significant transition, it signals a broader shift in corporate America, where companies are reassessing their operational bases in response to various economic and regulatory pressures.
