Chevron builds for a secure energy future

As president of Chevron Thailand Exploration and Production, Chatit Huayhongtong is steering more than an energy company: he is helping to safeguard Thailand’s long-term energy security.

Chevron has been a key player in Thailand’s energy sector for more than six decades. Under Mr Chatit’s leadership, the company has strengthened its operational capabilities while adapting to a rapidly evolving energy landscape.

His strategic vision, operational discipline and commitment to sustainable growth have earned Mr Chatit the 2026 CEO of the Year award for Operational Excellence and Transformation.

The global energy industry faces a complex challenge commonly described as the energy trilemma: meeting growing energy demand while ensuring affordability, reliability and lower carbon emissions.

According to Mr Chatit, the sector must navigate volatile markets, geopolitical uncertainty, maturing petroleum assets, cost pressures and accelerating technological change.

His objective is to ensure Chevron Thailand advances all three dimensions of the energy trilemma by enhancing workforce capabilities and reinforcing the company’s role in delivering a reliable supply for Thailand.

PEOPLE TRANSFORMATION

Mr Chatit has led an organisation-wide transformation centred on people development.

“At the heart of our transformation are our people,” he said.

Under his leadership, Chevron Thailand has invested in strengthening employee capabilities in digital technologies, artificial intelligence (AI) and lower-carbon energy solutions, enabling teams to adapt to change, innovate and lead.

Alongside skills development, he has promoted a culture based on four high-performance principles: being direct, decisive, accountable and results-focused.

As a result, employees are encouraged to communicate openly, make informed and timely decisions, take ownership of outcomes and focus on initiatives that generate meaningful value.

The approach has delivered tangible results, with employee-led initiatives improving operational performance, reducing costs and lowering carbon emissions.

Technology has played a pivotal role in the transformation. At Chevron Thailand’s Integrated Operations Center, real-time offshore data is combined with technical expertise, enabling teams to monitor operations remotely, identify potential issues early and make faster decisions across assets.

The company also leverages AI, data analytics and automation to turn large volumes of operational data into actionable insights, while reducing repetitive tasks and allowing employees to focus on higher-value activities.

These efforts are supported by strong cybersecurity measures and robust data governance.

The result has been safer and more reliable operations, improved efficiency, lower operating costs and a continued reduction in carbon intensity.

Since 2022, Chevron Thailand’s targeted emissions-reduction programmes have reduced carbon intensity, flaring and methane emissions.

One of the most significant initiatives is Mr Chatit’s “Total Reuse” project, which extends the life of offshore wellhead platforms by reusing topsides and support structures.

The project has avoided more than 4,280 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions. Together with other reuse initiatives, the total emissions reduction exceeds 27,000 tonnes.

The project received the SPE Thailand E&P Award, which recognises engineering innovation, operational excellence, cost optimisation and carbon-reduction achievements in Thailand’s energy sector.

“This achievement shows how people, partnership and performance help us get results the right way,” said Mr Chatit.

ENERGY SECURITY

A central pillar of Mr Chatit’s strategy is strengthening domestic energy production to reduce dependence on costly energy imports.

The issue became particularly pronounced during recent global energy crises linked to tensions in the Middle East, when liquefied natural gas (LNG) import costs for Asian buyers rose sharply from about US$3.1 billion to $7.4 billion.

For Mr Chatit, a secure domestic energy supply is a matter of national security.

He said he supports the exploration of new petroleum resources, including prospective areas in the Andaman Sea and the Thailand-Cambodia overlapping claims area in the Gulf of Thailand, which could provide long-term domestic energy supplies.

“Chevron values the progress made through the Unclos conciliation process and supports continued dialogue towards a mutually acceptable path forward,” he said, referring to efforts under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea to address the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia.

Chevron Thailand produces about 20% of the country’s domestic natural gas supply, making it the nation’s second-largest gas producer.

The company’s next phase of growth aims to balance reliable supply from existing assets with the development of new resources.

Petroleum block G2/65 is undergoing resource assessment. The Pailin gas field production licence has been extended for another 10 years until January 2038, while plans are progressing to develop the Ubon gas field into a commercially viable project.

Together, these initiatives are expected to help sustain domestic gas output and support Thailand’s long-term energy security.

“We intend to remain a trusted partner in developing affordable, reliable and ever-cleaner energy that supports the country’s energy security and enables human progress,” said Mr Chatit.

Back to top