International oil and gas strategies: corporate planning in the new world order

The corporate planning process at Chevron Overseas Petroleum Inc. was totally revamped 5 years ago. The company's international exploration and production activities have forced them to recognize that business objectives and strategic plans must be aligned. The planning process described here involves staff groups from the departmental level up to the top of the organization, each providing input to goals and objectives. New venture planning, project approval, the role of technology transfer, and most importantly, the changing role of managing people resources, were discussed. With regard to 'people management' the need for team players, a variety of technical, linguistic, entrepreneurial, and technology transfer skills, adaptability, cultural awareness, and mobility, have been identified as the key ingredients for all successful players in the international arena