Chevron CEO Wirth Wins Top Energy Award, Credits Humility and Risk Management

Chevron's CEO Mike Wirth has been named Energy Intelligence's Energy Executive of the Year for 2026. In an exclusive interview, he reflected on his eight-year tenure at the helm of the second-largest Western integrated major.

Wirth emphasized that success requires managing risk, rather than avoiding it. He cited Chevron's approaches to Iraq, Venezuela, and Kazakhstan as examples of this strategy in action. The company has also adopted a more disciplined approach to project selection, resulting in improved track records for delivering megaprojects on time and on budget.

Wirth believes that oil's investment value proposition remains secure due to decline rates and sticky demand from hard-to-abate sectors. In contrast, he views LNG as facing a 'trickier' path due to the existence of viable substitutes in power generation.

The Chevron CEO attributed his company's successes to self-reflection and more informed risk management. He highlighted the importance of humility in leadership, stating that it is essential for making tough decisions and navigating complex global markets.