a history of enabling human progress

We’ve always believed in the power of human ingenuity. A group of explorers successfully struck oil in California in 1876. Three years later our company entered the industry in 1879. Our spirit has been driven by integrity, trust, and innovation. And we’ve continued our purpose to provide the affordable, reliable, ever-cleaner energy that enables human progress.
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1879 - 1911

leading the way

A quest for black gold brings a spirit of innovation and transformative engineering.

1879

Before we became Chevron, we got our start in San Francisco under the name Pacific Coast Oil Co. (PCO). After PCO incorporated, it acquired California Star Oil Works Co.

1895

California’s first steel-hulled tanker, the George Loomis, was built to efficiently transport 6,500 barrels of oil by sea.

1900

Standard Oil Company acquired PCO. This acquisition gave Standard Oil Company a supply of oil for the U.S. West Coast. It also added production, transportation, and refining capabilities.

Early 1900s

The first oil refinery PCO built was at Alameda Point, California in 1880. Additional refineries were built decades later in California and transformed the landscape of West Coast energy.

1907

The world’s first service station was set up in Seattle by Socal sales manager John McLean.

1912 - 1926

spirit of standard

As demand for petroleum products grew, so did our competitive drive and passion for change.

1912

Led by Standard Oil Company’s (California) director of producing Fred Hillman, crews at the McNee No. 4 well at the Midway-Sunset oil field in California produced a record 30,000 barrels a day.

1916

This group of employees at the Richmond Refinery were the first to receive service pins after the announcement of the inauguration of the Order of Service.

1926

Standard Oil Company of California (Socal) sponsored the Standard Hour, the first network radio broadcast of symphonic music on the U.S. West Coast. It gave rise two years later to the Standard School Broadcast that reached millions of grade school students for decades.

1927 - 1946

in war and peace

The impact of low oil supplies after World War I prompted our efforts to produce oil worldwide and grow our business.

1927

Charles Lindbergh used Socal’s Red Crown gasoline for his Spirit of St. Louis trans-Atlantic flight. “I found I could buy special gasoline in the West that would give me a little more range per gallon,” he said.

1931

Socal introduced the chevron-shaped hallmark logo to standardize brand identity and set itself apart from competitors. The sign was displayed at all 900 Socal service stations on the U.S. West Coast.

1930s

Socal oil discoveries in the Middle East transformed energy production and expanded business operations.

1941

Socal became a key supplier of crude oil for the Allies during World War II. Women broke new ground and played an important role by working in refineries, laboratories, and service stations as men enlisted in the armed services.

1947 - 1979

a new identity

Our company expanded internationally to meet growing oil demands.

1949

Socal’s oil discoveries in Indonesia and offshore waters of the Gulf of Mexico helped our company become one of the largest oil producers.

1961

Socal merged with Kentucky Standard Oil (KYSO).

1969

Socal introduced a modernized hallmark design to communicate company identity worldwide.

1980 - 2001

market expansion

We continued to grow around the world through mergers, acquisitions, and marketing efforts.

1984

Socal merged with Gulf Oil Corporation, nearly doubling our oil and natural gas reserves worldwide.

1984

Socal became Chevron Corporation to align our company identity globally.

1995

Chevron launched the iconic “Chevron Cars” advertising campaign. And it continues to evolve today.

1995

“The Chevron Way” became the company vision, linking our company’s vision and values to the way we do business.

1999

Chevron became one of the first companies to endorse the Global Sullivan Principles for universal human rights.

2001

Chevron merged with Texaco and became ChevronTexaco, the second-largest U.S.-based energy company at the time.

2001

Chevron set up the Office of Global Diversity to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion inside the company.

2002 - 2019

a new era of energy

As our exploration technology expanded, so did our aim to support diversity and inclusion.

2005

ChevronTexaco acquired Unocal Corporation and became Chevron. We also introduced a more approachable hallmark logo. The design built on heritage and conveyed a sense of momentum and warmth.

2016

In pursuit of its long-term energy goals, Chevron advanced two liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects, Gorgon and Wheatstone, which moved forward in Western Australia.

2020 - present

advancing energy progress

Working toward a lower carbon future. 

Early 2020s

As Chevron continued to grow through acquisitions, so did our vision for the future. 

2021

Chevron New Energies was introduced to help customers meet their lower carbon goals and reduce the carbon intensity of our own operations.

2022

Chevron held over 4,800 technology patents, making it one of the leading patent holders in our industry.

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