If you're a regular reader of Energy Digital, you'll be no stranger to how pivotal leadership is in the rapidly evolving energy sector and navigating the transition from traditional fossil fuels to sustainable alternatives.
This feature highlights the Top 10 CEOs who are reshaping their companies and the energy industry at large.
From driving investments in renewable energy to implementing innovative technologies for carbon reduction, these leaders exemplify a commitment to sustainability while ensuring profitability.
Here, we explore the remarkable careers of some of the most influential figures in energy.
10. Anders Opedal
CEO of Equinor
Appointed CEO in 2020, Anders is leading Equinor’s transformation from an oil and gas company to a broad energy company, with significant investments in offshore wind and other renewables.
Joining the company in 1997 after working for Schlumberger — now SLB — and Baker Hughes, Anders began as a petroleum engineer before rising through a variety of leadership positions.
Anders’ vision for Equinor centres around Equinor being a leader in the energy transition, with the company reaching net zero by 2050. His strategy includes optimising oil and gas, accelerating renewables and building low carbon value chains.
9. Mike Wirth
CEO of Chevron
Mike has been CEO of Chevron since 2018 and has increased the company’s investments in renewable energy and low-carbon technologies while maintaining its position as a major oil producer.
He has spent his entire career at Chevron — and with four decades under his belt, has witnessed significant evolution across both the energy industry and Chevron itself.
He sees the future of energy as one characterised by several certainties: increasing global energy demand, the need for more affordable and reliable energy sources, cleaner traditional energy forms and emerging innovative energy solutions.
He says: “Chevron will continue to lead into the future by developing more energy with less environmental impact, including lower greenhouse gas emissions. We’ll develop and deploy the best talent to solve the most complex problems, leveraging our strengths to find affordable, reliable and cleaner energy solutions that can scale to meet the needs of a growing world.”
8. Ryan Lance
CEO of ConocoPhillips
Ryan has been at the helm of ConocoPhillips, the world’s largest independent exploration and production company, as Chairman and CEO since 2012.
With a career spanning nearly four decades in the oil and natural gas industry, he has accumulated extensive experience in both senior management and technical roles.
His energy career includes positions at ConocoPhillips, its predecessor Phillips Petroleum and various divisions of ARCO.
His variety of executive positions at ConocoPhillips has been diverse, posting him to roles in international exploration and production, regional oversight in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and North America.
7. Claudio Descalzi
CEO of Eni
Claudio has been Eni’s CEO for a decade, with his career at Eni spanning more than 40 years, starting as a petroleum engineer in 1981.
Having held roles including Managing Director in Congo and Nigeria, Executive Vice President for multiple regions and Chief Operating Officer of the Exploration & Production Division, Claudio is widely recognised for his contributions to the energy sector.
One such contribution is the founding of the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative in 2014.
Outside of Eni, Claudio serves on several prestigious boards and councils, including Confindustria and the National Petroleum Council.
6. Wael Sawan
CEO of Shell
Wael brings more than 25 years of experience with the company to his positon at the helm of Shell.
His career began in 1997 as an engineer in Oman, progressing through leadership roles in Qatar’s LNG and GTL divisions, and later as Executive Vice President of Deep Water operations.
He then served as Upstream Director and then Director of Integrated Gas, Renewables and Energy Solutions.
“The tagline for us is more value with less emissions,” Wael says. “Our reality is much more complex than four words. But we try to distill it so that we can actually create a north star for the organisation to be able to navigate towards.”
5. Vicki Hollub
CEO of Occidental Petroleum
Vicki became the first woman to lead a major American oil company when she was appointed president and CEO of Occidental (Oxy) in April 2016.
Her tenure has seen her steer Oxy to become a leader in carbon capture and storage technology. She’s committed the company to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
As a trailblazing leader, Vicki guides Oxy with a philosophy that emphasises perseverance, preparation and authenticity — as a result, prioritising employee retention during downturns, promoting diversity and driving technological innovation.
Inspiring the next generation of leaders — particularly those from unconventional backgrounds — Vicki emphasises the importance of perseverance and preparation in leadership.
“Just practice. Persevere. If you approach every day like that, when a crisis comes, you're prepared for it,” she says.
4. Amin H. Nasser
CEO of Saudi Aramco
Celebrated for his contributions to the energy sector in this month’s edition of Energy Digital, Amin has been CEO of the world’s largest oil company since 2015.
Under his guidance, Saudi Aramco has begun investing in renewable energy and has committed to net zero emissions from operations by 2050.
Amin has leveraged the experience of his more than 40 year career to make this possible, solidifying his place as a driving force in the industry, steering the world’s largest integrated energy and chemicals enterprise through periods of significant change and growth.
“These are exciting times for Aramco as we continue to seek new opportunities to enhance our portfolio and our capabilities to enable a secure and more sustainable energy future,” Amin says.
3. Murray Auchincloss
CEO of bp
Becoming permanent CEO this year after a temporary stint, Murray has worked for bp for more than 25 years, most recently as CFO. He took over as CEO at a pivotal time for the business — as it transitions from an international oil company to an integrated energy company.
“The board is in complete agreement that Murray was the outstanding candidate and is the right leader for bp,” Helge Lund, Chair of bp — who headed the search for their next CEO — said on his appointment.
“His assured leadership, focus on performance and delivery and deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges in the energy transition will serve bp well as we continue our disciplined transformation to an integrated energy company.”
Although an unexpected and unconventional choice for bp’s top role, Murray is a strong leader thanks to his deep insight into bp's assets and businesses thanks to his broad experience across the group, extensive financial expertise and experience.
2. Darren Woods
CEO of ExxonMobil
Darren exemplifies exceptional energy leadership through his strategic vision and adaptability in a rapidly changing industry.
With 24 years of experience at Exxon — including seven years as CEO — Darren has steered the company towards a lower-carbon future while maintaining profitability.
He launched ExxonMobil's Low Carbon Solutions business, focusing on carbon capture, hydrogen and biofuels, showcasing how traditional oil and gas companies can evolve to meet growing energy demands and secure their future.
As well as this, Darren’s commitment to innovation and sustainability is evident in Exxon’s goal to achieve net zero emissions from operated assets by 2050. His balanced approach to shareholder interests and environmental concerns positions ExxonMobil at the forefront of the energy transition — and Darren as a stellar leader as a result.
1. Patrick Pouyanné
CEO of TotalEnergies
CEO since 2015, Patrick has led TotalEnergies’ transition to cleaner energy sources, significantly expanding its renewable energy portfolio and investing in electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Under his leadership, the company has made significant investments in natural gas, LNG projects and carbon capture technologies — exemplifying his exceptional energy leadership through his strategic vision and adaptability.
Taking the helm during a challenging period — and now as the company celebrates its centenary — TotalEnergies is now transitioning from an oil and gas major to a multi-energy company increasingly focused on renewables under Patrick’s guidance.
He has committed TotalEnergies to ambitious renewable energy goals while maintaining strong oil and gas performance, increasing output by 30% since becoming CEO.
His strategy focuses on innovation, sustainability and profitability, aiming for zero methane emissions and tripling renewable capacity by 2030.
Patrick’s evolving leadership style, combining strategic acumen with increased openness to feedback, has positioned TotalEnergies at the forefront of the changing energy landscape. His ability to balance traditional energy interests with future-focused initiatives makes him a standout leader in the industry.
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