Chevron's story dates back to an 1876 oil discovery at Pico Canyon in the rugged Santa Susana Mountains, north of Los Angeles. This find led to the 1879 formation of Chevron's earliest predecessor, the Pacific Coast Oil Co.
Another side of the genealogical chart points to the 1901 founding of The Texas Fuel Co. (later known as Texaco) and its historic oil discovery two years later at Sour Lake, Texas. These companies and other members of the current Chevron family have been instrumental in transforming the oil business into today's global energy industry.
Throughout the 20th century, Chevron and Texaco experienced dynamic growth in the United States and internationally. In 1984, Chevron's immediate predecessor, Standard Oil Co. of California, acquired Gulf Corporation in a $13.3 billion merger. At the time, it was the largest acquisition in corporate history. That same year, Texaco purchased Getty Oil and gained 1.9 billion barrels in proved reserves of crude oil and 2.8 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves.
Chevron and Texaco formed a number of partnerships – most notably, Caltex Corp. in 1936. The 2001 merger of Chevron and Texaco was a natural outgrowth of their successful history of partnering. In 2005, Chevron acquired Unocal Corp.
Advancing Health and Safety
Chevron continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing health initiatives, protecting the environment and promoting safety.
Chevron's U.S. upstream operations have received several health, environment and safety awards.
In 2008, Chevron was awarded the U.S. Mineral Management Service's national Safety Award for Excellence (SAFE). The award is one of the highest honors given in the industry for safe operations. The award recognizes companies that go beyond adherence to regulations, employing trained and motivated personnel to excel in operating safely and in a pollution-free manner.
Chevron was also awarded the National Ocean Industries Association 2008 Safety in Seas Award for outstanding contribution to the safety of offshore energy workers. The award focuses on Chevron's hurricane restoration work.
Our workers also received the Bureau of Land Management State Directors' Operator of the Year Award for our operations in the Lost Hills Field in California. San Ardo operations received the Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources 2007 Certificate of Award for Outstanding Commitment to Environmental Protection and Efficient Enhanced Oil Recovery. The state of Wyoming honored us with the Governor's Safety Award for operations at both Carter Creek and the Painter Reservoir Unit.
Updated: March 2009