Thread regarding Chevron Corp. layoffs

Concerns about Subsurface and Exploration

I have some concerns about the new Subsurface and Exploration org charts, which seem to be adding positions just to keep the same number of GMs.

Both organizations have not been delivering meaningful value and are imposing processes that are burden to the rest of the organization.

Before thinking about centralizing workflows, people and processes even more, Subsurface should work on improving performance and delivering actual value.

Projects could oven be completed faster and with better quality if they weren't forced to use CTC's Subsurface processes and SMEs. Granted, there are some talented technical employees who are making a difference, but their numbers are too few.

Subsurface GMs and managers keep setting up new expectations and processes that don't align with BUs need, enforcing their adoption just to claim they have added value.

High-ranking CTC members often use their influence to pressure BU technical teams with their special projects, inserting themselves where they are not needed and creating narratives that don't match up with assets realities.

Too many managers haven't worked in BUs and don't really understand what's needed to deliver value and make decisions.

On top of that, CTC support is often delivered late, the quality is por,and there's little accountability. Constructive feedback from the BUs isn't welcomed and can even lead to retaliation.

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| 3321 views | | 10 replies (last March 18, 2025) | Reply
Post ID: @OP+1jnyd336b

10 replies (most recent on top)

I have been retired from CTC (probably had a different name back then) for about 12 years. From reading the comments it does not sound like much has changed: process-process-process, metric-metric-metric. Good luck to all.

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Post ID: @1jc+1jnyd336b

Subsurface works just like Wells now. The function owns the work and the results. jK will own any adverse subsurface results.

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Post ID: @fe+1jnyd336b

CTC Subsurface is a complete joke now. Yes there are a few excellent people there, but they are not being used well at all at and are demoralized. The leaders in CTC, from CMs all the way up to subsurface manager are to blame. They have no understanding of what the business needs and have people working on the most useless projects that the BUs are not even interested in. There are real needs out there, but CTC is separated from them by choice. They choose not to listen to anyone but themselves. The very fact that the new “subsurface” group, while embedded in upstream will STILL require a charge code shows that the approach has not changed. You want former CTC to be impact, get rid 90% of the leaders in that toxic organization.

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Post ID: @f9+1jnyd336b

There’s no more BUs.
And the heads of subsurface and the asset report to upstream.

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Post ID: @ay+1jnyd336b

These people created a lot of process! We are changing defined accountability, organization alignment, simplified governance, and standardization of key workflows from the same people who put them in place in the first place? It is disappointing. These new organization charts don't change anything and we are going to reward the same bad behaviors to the same managers.

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Post ID: @at+1jnyd336b

It doesn’t make sense for the VP of Subsurface CTC to represent the entire subsurface function when the BU subsurface team is the actual customer and recipient of the work. How can transparent feedback be provided when the CTC Subsurface PSG is significantly higher than that of the BUs, and the VP of CTC Subsurface holds a higher pay grade than any GM or AD from the BU, where most of the subsurface work is conducted?

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Post ID: @as+1jnyd336b

make sense for the VP of Subsurface CTC to represent the entire subsurface function when the BU subsurface team is the actual customer and recipient of the work. How can transparent feedback be provided when the CTC Subsurface PSG is significantly higher than that of the BUs, and the VP of CTC Subsurface holds a higher pay grade than any GM or AD from the BU, where most of the subsurface work is conducted?

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Post ID: @ar+1jnyd336b

When ETC / CTC can review their own pointless work and just say it’s a success, or define some bullsh-t metric to make it a success - 1s all around.

Generally the asset team working on same project but with 10x the breadth - “Expects more”

New org will be the same.

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Post ID: @a8+1jnyd336b

Over the past decade, employees' networks and DEI initiatives have become significant distractions. In some departments, participating in these initiatives is prioritized over delivering results. Socializing and adhering to prescribe processes seem to overshadow hard work and individual skills. It's no surprise that we're facing challenges in finding oil.

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Post ID: @a2+1jnyd336b

All true but so what? When was the last time CTC added value to UCR? I’m waiting

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Post ID: @a1+1jnyd336b

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