Occidental Petroleum lands in Midland as CEO transition nears

Occidental Petroleum flew an Embraer ERJ-175 from Houston’s Bush Intercontinental to a point near Midland, Texas, on May 19, a one-hour hop that landed at 13:20 UTC. The aircraft, tail N170XY, typically serves as an employee shuttle, and this trip touched down in the heart of the Permian Basin, the company’s core operating region.

The visit comes as Occidental prepares for a leadership change: Vicki Hollub will retire as president and CEO on June 1, with chief operating officer Richard Jackson taking over, per a May 1 announcement [globenewswire.com](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/05/01/3285910/0/en/Occidental-Announces-CEO-Succession.html). The transition caps a decade-long portfolio overhaul, and Jackson has emphasized organic improvement and cost efficiency in the Permian [mrt.com](https://www.mrt.com/business/oil/article/occidental-petroleum-ceo-transition-22236646.php).

The trip fits a pattern: Occidental’s ERJ-175 has visited the same Midland-area coordinates at least three times in the past week, reflecting the company’s focus on its unconventional assets. With the new CEO set to take command, a firsthand look at field operations seems routine—but in oil country, the timing is telling.