Occidental Petroleum's G650ER returns to Houston as CEO Vicki Hollub prepares to retire

Occidental Petroleum’s Gulfstream G650ER, tail N650XY, conducted a brief local flight out of Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport on May 17, 2026, departing and returning to KIAH within minutes. The aircraft reached a maximum altitude of just 325 feet and a ground speed of 117 knots, suggesting a short maintenance hop or crew positioning.

The same week, Occidental Petroleum announced that CEO Vicki Hollub would retire effective June 1, 2026, after more than 40 years with the company. Per a company press release on May 1, 2026, Hollub will be succeeded by Chief Operating Officer Richard Jackson, who will also join the board. Hollub, who became the first woman to lead a major U.S. oil producer when she took the helm in 2016, will remain on the board as a director, ensuring continuity during the transition.

The flight follows a pattern of regional movements by Occidental Petroleum’s fleet. In recent days, the G650ER traveled to Midland, Texas, and Carlsbad, New Mexico — key hubs for Occidental Petroleum’s Permian Basin operations, where Hollub once led before becoming CEO. The brief Houston circuit may reflect routine post-announcement logistics as the company prepares for the leadership handoff.