Chevron has appointed veteran exploration executive Emmanuelle Garinet to lead its exploration activities across sub-Saharan Africa and the Americas as the U.S. oil major intensifies efforts to identify new hydrocarbon reserves.
Garinet, formerly head of exploration for Africa at TotalEnergies, will oversee the search for new oil and gas deposits in some of the company’s most strategically important regions, according to industry reports.
Her appointment forms part of a broader restructuring of Chevron’s global exploration operations aimed at sharpening the company’s focus on high-potential basins.
Garinet brings more than three decades of experience in petroleum exploration to the role. She began her career as an exploration geologist at TotalEnergies, where she worked on identifying oil and gas prospects across several international basins.
During her tenure at the French energy giant, she rose to become vice president for exploration in Africa, leading exploration programs across multiple parts of the continent and helping to guide the company’s strategy in frontier and emerging basins.
At Chevron, Garinet will be responsible for directing exploration activities in both sub-Saharan Africa and the Americas, two regions that remain central to the company’s long-term resource development strategy.
The appointment was first reported by energy industry publication Upstream Online.
Chevron’s move comes as global energy companies increasingly seek new discoveries to replenish reserves amid sustained demand for oil and gas, even as many firms expand investments in low-carbon energy.
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The company has been reshaping its exploration leadership team in recent months.
In October 2025, Chevron appointed Kevin McLachlan, another former executive from TotalEnergies, as vice president for exploration.
The leadership overhaul is intended to streamline exploration activities and focus resources on regions considered to have the highest potential for future discoveries.
Industry analysts say the restructuring reflects a broader shift among oil majors toward more targeted exploration strategies, concentrating investments in basins where geological data suggests strong prospects for commercially viable resources.
In Africa, Chevron is currently evaluating offshore exploration opportunities in Namibia, a country that has attracted significant attention from energy companies following major oil discoveries in recent years.
The southern African nation has emerged as one of the world’s most promising new exploration frontiers, with several international oil companies conducting seismic surveys and drilling campaigns in its offshore basins.
Chevron also maintains operations in Nigeria, one of Africa’s largest oil producers.
While several international energy firms have recently reduced their onshore exposure in Nigeria due to security challenges and regulatory changes, Chevron remains among the companies continuing to operate in the country.
Some competitors, including TotalEnergies, have shifted focus toward offshore assets or other regions as part of broader portfolio adjustments.
Energy experts say Garinet’s extensive experience in African geology and exploration management could help Chevron strengthen its position in emerging hydrocarbon provinces.
Her background in identifying early-stage prospects may prove particularly valuable as the company expands exploration in frontier regions where geological understanding is still evolving.
The recruitment also highlights the continuing competition among major oil companies for experienced exploration leaders capable of navigating increasingly complex global energy markets.
As the industry balances the need for new fossil fuel supplies with the transition toward lower-carbon energy systems, exploration expertise remains critical for companies seeking to maintain long-term production capacity.
Garinet’s appointment signals Chevron’s intention to remain active in global exploration, particularly in regions where new discoveries could significantly expand future production.
