Energy supermajor Chevron has appointed Emmanuelle Garinet as Director of Exploration for the Americas and Sub-Saharan Africa, placing one of the upstream industry’s most experienced exploration geophysicists in charge of discovery strategies across two of the world’s most important hydrocarbon regions.
The appointment has been welcomed by the African Energy Chamber (AEC), which described the move as a positive signal for Africa’s exploration sector.
According to the Chamber, Garinet’s appointment could help unlock new investment across frontier basins, accelerate geological understanding, and strengthen collaboration between international operators and African governments.
Expanding Exploration Across Sub-Saharan Africa
Chevron’s African portfolio is entering a new phase of exploration-led growth as international oil companies continue to pursue new discoveries across both frontier basins and established producing regions.
In Namibia, one of the most closely watched exploration markets globally, offshore activity has surged following major deepwater discoveries in the Orange Basin.
Chevron is currently evaluating prospects in the Walvis Basin, where the company plans to drill a new exploration well in PEL 82 between 2026 and 2027. The campaign follows earlier drilling efforts in the Orange Basin and signals the company’s continued interest in Namibia’s rapidly evolving offshore petroleum system.
Meanwhile, in Nigeria, Chevron is expanding its deepwater footprint after acquiring a 40 percent stake from TotalEnergies in offshore licenses PPL 2000 and PPL 2001.
The company is expected to deploy a drilling rig in late 2026 targeting resources near the Agbami field, part of a broader deepwater growth strategy aimed at strengthening its position in West Africa’s offshore sector.
Angola also remains a cornerstone of Chevron’s African portfolio. In December 2025, the company achieved first oil at the South N’dola platform in Block 0, producing approximately 25,000 barrels of oil per day using existing infrastructure.
Associated gas from the project is transported to the Angola LNG plant, supporting the country’s gas monetization strategy while helping reduce flaring.
For the African Energy Chamber, these developments highlight the continued importance of exploration in unlocking new energy resources while supporting economic growth and energy security across the continent.
Americas Portfolio Provides Additional Growth
Beyond Africa, Chevron maintains a significant upstream portfolio across the Americas.
In the United States, the company continues expanding production in the Permian Basin, where output is projected to reach around one million barrels of oil equivalent per day by 2026.
Deepwater developments in the Gulf of Mexico also remain a central component of Chevron’s portfolio and are expected to contribute to the company’s long-term production growth.
In Guyana, Chevron’s position in the prolific Stabroek Block—acquired through the company’s purchase of Hess Corporation—places it within one of the world’s fastest-growing offshore petroleum provinces.
Meanwhile, unconventional oil and gas development in Argentina’s Vaca Muerta formation continues to support regional production expansion.
A Career Built on Global Exploration
Garinet brings more than three decades of experience in exploration geology, subsurface interpretation, and international upstream leadership.
She began her career as a geophysicist focusing on seismic analysis and subsurface evaluation before moving into senior management roles overseeing global exploration portfolios.
Over the course of her career, Garinet has led exploration programs across multiple continents, including major projects in Nigeria, Gabon, and South America.
Her tenure at TotalEnergies also spanned the company’s transformation from Elf Aquitaine to TotalFinaElf and eventually TotalEnergies.
One of her most notable achievements was leading the exploration team behind the Venus discovery offshore Namibia, one of the largest deepwater oil discoveries in recent years and a project expected to move toward final investment decision in 2026.
Strong Signal for Africa’s Energy Sector
Industry leaders say Garinet’s appointment could strengthen Africa’s position within the global exploration landscape.
“Exploration leadership with deep technical expertise and real experience in Africa’s basins is critical as the continent seeks to unlock new resources and attract global investment,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.
“Emmanuelle Garinet brings decades of geological insight and international exploration leadership. Her appointment at Chevron sends a strong signal about the continued importance of African energy development,” he added.
Garinet has also been a prominent advocate for African energy development and frequently participates in the annual African Energy Week conference in Cape Town, where she has highlighted the role of advanced seismic data, frontier exploration, and efficient permitting systems in unlocking new opportunities across the continent.
