energy everywhere: anchor’s journey continues

Jacob Gros usually starts his workday with two things: a cup of coffee and a moment of reflection while watching the sunrise.

That isn’t so uncommon, but his morning ritual is unique. He enjoys it nearly 140 miles off the Louisiana coast, aboard the Anchor Platform. And Gros experienced another dawn when Anchor began producing in August.

It was the result of years of effort, marking an opening chapter for an oil and gas facility that’s expected to produce for approximately 30 years.

“It’s a full circle moment,” said Gros, a Chevron offshore installation manager. “It’s pretty amazing.”

Oil and gas demand is predicted to continue growing. Anchor is expected to produce up to 75,000 gross barrels of oil per day in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, where Chevron produces some of the lowest carbon intensity barrels in the world.

For Gros, the Anchor Project feels especially meaningful. It’s had an impact on his family onshore and on his colleagues, who’ve become like a second family, offshore.

“I’ve always used the saying ‘know your why,’ and that’s for everything that we do in life,” he said. “We’re working to safely deliver energy that can power the lives of our families back home, and that’s our shared purpose.”

Anchor’s journey to first oil took years and involved hundreds of people from all over the world.

While Gros is happy to have helped Anchor reach this milestone, he’s also looking forward to advancing its legacy as it continues to produce.

“When you look at the energy transition, oil and gas will continue to play a part in that, but at a lower carbon intensity,” he said. “I feel blessed to be part of a project that is important not only for Chevron, but also for the world.”