Occidental Petroleum shuttles employees to Midland for Permian Basin operations

Occidental Petroleum flew its Embraer ERJ-175 (tail N170XY) from Cavern City Air Terminal in Carlsbad, New Mexico, to Midland International Air and Space Port on May 28, a 22-minute hop covering about 170 miles. The flight, which reached a max altitude of 16,950 feet and a ground speed of 383 knots, is one of several shuttle runs the company operates across the Permian Basin.

The destination is no coincidence: Midland sits at the center of the Permian Basin, where Occidental Petroleum holds extensive drilling and production assets. The company, led by CEO Vicki Hollub and with Berkshire Hathaway as its largest shareholder, relies on its three-aircraft fleet—including this ERJ-175 employee shuttle—to move workers and executives between Houston headquarters and field operations. This week, as oil prices remain volatile and the company continues its focus on carbon-capture projects, the shuttle keeps the Permian workforce rotating efficiently.

The recent flight pattern shows the ERJ-175 making multiple loops between Houston, Midland, and Carlsbad, often with quick turnarounds. That suggests a steady rhythm of crew changes or equipment runs rather than a single high-profile event. For Occidental Petroleum, the Permian Basin is not a destination for headlines—it is where the barrels come from.