OREANDA-NEWS. June 14, 2013. Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) announced that Jeff Shellebarger has been named president of Chevron North America Exploration and Production Company, effective August 1, 2013. Shellebarger succeeds Gary Luquette, who will retire from Chevron after 35 years of distinguished service.

Shellebarger, 56, is currently managing director of Chevron's IndoAsia Business Unit. Since joining Chevron in 1980, Shellebarger has held a variety of upstream positions in the U.S., Angola and Indonesia. In his new capacity, he will be responsible for overseeing Chevron's exploration and production activities throughout North America, including the company's significant portfolio of assets in California, the Gulf of Mexico, Pennsylvania, the Mid-Continent region of the U.S. and Canada. Shellebarger will report to George Kirkland, Chevron's vice chairman and executive vice president of Upstream.

"Jeff's appointment to this leadership role demonstrates the bench strength of our management team," said John Watson, Chevron's chairman and CEO. "We are placing an experienced and proven executive in a key position as we continue to pursue our growth objectives."

Luquette has led Chevron's North America Upstream business since 2006. He previously held key exploration and production positions in Louisiana, California, United Kingdom and Indonesia. As the head of the company's North America upstream business, Luquette opened new frontiers by advancing Chevron's presence in the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico and acquiring significant shale gas positions in Pennsylvania and Canada. In addition to these contributions, Luquette played an instrumental role in helping the industry improve its oil spill prevention and response capabilities, and enabling the company's restart in the Gulf through diligent work with government officials and regulators following the Deepwater Horizon incident. Luquette, 57, will stay with the company until September 1, 2013 to transition his responsibilities.

"Over the course of his career, Gary established himself as a remarkable leader within Chevron and the industry," said Watson. "But beyond his leadership qualities, Gary was an exceptional colleague whose experience and insight made him an invaluable member of our senior management team."