Occidental Petroleum arrives in San Diego the week of its CEO transition and debt milestone

Occidental Petroleum flew from Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport to San Diego International Airport on June 18, 2026, a 2-hour 47-minute trip in its Gulfstream G280. The flight arrives the same week the company is navigating a leadership transition and a transformed balance sheet, following the retirement of longtime CEO Vicki Hollub on June 1.

Hollub, who led Occidental Petroleum through the debt-laden Anadarko acquisition and the subsequent $10 billion OxyChem sale to Berkshire Hathaway, handed the reins to Richard Jackson, per a company SEC filing on April 30. The sale reduced Occidental Petroleum's principal debt to $13.3 billion, drawing analyst upgrades from Barclays and others, as reported by TIKR.com. Meanwhile, a US-Iran peace deal has pressured oil prices, though Occidental Petroleum's stock is still up 31% year-to-date, per FX Leaders.

San Diego is not among Occidental Petroleum's recurring business destinations, but the flight may relate to board or investor discussions away from Houston. The G280 is part of a three-aircraft fleet that also shuttles employees to Midland and Carlsbad, reflecting the company's focus on Permian Basin operations.