ChevronTexaco Corp. on Wednesday announced the creation of ChevronTexaco Global Gas (CTGG), a new subsidiary that is expected to play a key role in ChevronTexaco’s strategic plans to commercialize its existing natural gas resource base and enable the creation and development of new natural gas growth opportunities worldwide.

CTGG will consist of existing gas-focused organizations including ChevronTexaco Natural Gas (current marketer of North American gas), the International Gas Group and Worldwide Power and Gasification.

Effective June 1, John D. Gass, 51, will lead CTGG, and will serve as a corporate vice president. Gass currently serves as managing director of ChevronTexaco’s Southern Africa business unit located in Luanda, Angola. As Gass’ replacement, James R. Blackwell, 44, currently president of ChevronTexaco Pipeline Co., will become managing director in Luanda.

In his new position, Gass will be responsible for building the company’s global natural gas business. He also will oversee ChevronTexaco’s shipping company and pipeline operations. The company noted that natural gas is expected to become a larger part of its businesses over time. The new company will also have oversight of ChevronTexaco’s participation in the Sasol Chevron gas-to-liquids joint venture, and Gass will serve as a director on the board of the joint venture.

In his new position, Gass will report to Peter Robertson, ChevronTexaco vice chairman, who is also responsible for the company’s worldwide exploration and production activities. Gass joined Chevron U.S.A. in 1974 as a design engineer, working primarily in the company’s offshore Louisiana operations.

Blackwell started his career with Gulf Oil in 1980 as a roustabout based in Venice, LA, and worked his way through a wide range of assignments of increasing responsibilities in the Gulf of Mexico. After the Gulf/Chevron merger in 1985, he became an engineer for the company’s Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) department.

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