As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 3, 2018
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
CHEVRON CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
94-0890210 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
CHEVRON CORPORATION (925) 842-1000 (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrants principal executive offices)
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Mary A. Francis Corporate Secretary and Chief Governance Officer 6001 Bollinger Canyon Road, San Ramon, CA 94583 (925) 842-1000 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
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Copies to:
Blair W. White, Esq. David E. Lillevand, Esq. San Francisco, California 94111 |
Craig B. Brod, Esq. Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP One Liberty Plaza, New York, New York 10006-1470 |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a small reporting company. See the definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer | ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |||
Non-accelerated filer | ☐ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | |||
Emerging growth company | ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Title of Each Class of Securities To Be Registered |
Amount To Be Registered |
Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit |
Proposed Maximum Offering Price |
Amount of Registration Fee | ||||
Debt securities |
(1) | (1) | (1) | (2) | ||||
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(1) | An indeterminate aggregate initial offering price and amount of debt securities is being registered as may from time to time be issued at indeterminate prices. |
(2) | In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r), the registrant is deferring payment of the registration fee. |
PROSPECTUS
Chevron Corporation
DEBT SECURITIES
Chevron Corporation (Chevron) may offer debt securities from time to time. Market conditions at the time of sale will determine the terms of any securities offered.
Chevron may issue debt securities in one or more series with the same or various maturities, at par, at a premium or with an original issue discount. The debt securities may be offered through underwriters or agents, or directly to investors or dealers. At the issuers option and as described in the relevant prospectus supplement, the debt securities may be denominated in U.S. dollars or in any other currency.
This prospectus describes generally the terms of the debt securities. A supplement or supplements to this prospectus will describe the specific terms of each issuance of debt securities. If any offering involves underwriters, dealers or agents, arrangements with them will be described in the prospectus supplement that relates to that offering.
Investing in the debt securities of Chevron involves risks. See the section entitled Risk Factors in any accompanying prospectus supplement and in any documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is May 3, 2018
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a shelf registration statement that Chevron has filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, which Chevron refers to herein as the Commission. By using a shelf registration statement, Chevron may sell debt securities in one or more offerings. This prospectus only provides a general description of the debt securities that may be offered. Each time Chevron sells debt securities under the shelf registration, a supplement to this prospectus containing specific information about the terms of the debt securities will be provided. Any prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Before purchasing any debt securities, you should read carefully both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, together with the additional information described under the heading Information Incorporated by Reference.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
Chevron files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Commission. Chevrons filings are available to the public over the Internet at its web site (www.chevron.com) or at the Commissions website (www.sec.gov). Except for the documents specifically incorporated by reference into this prospectus, information contained on Chevrons website or that can be accessed through the website does not constitute a part of this prospectus. Chevron has included its website address only as an inactive textual reference and does not intend it to be an active link to its website. Copies of all such reports, proxy statements and other documents are also available at the Commissions public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Commissions public reference room by calling the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. Chevron is not required to, and does not, provide annual reports to holders of its debt securities unless specifically requested to do so.
Chevron has filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), relating to the debt securities offered by this prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement. Some information has been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission. For further information, please refer to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed with it.
INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The Commission allows Chevron to incorporate by reference into this prospectus the information in documents that Chevron files with it. This means that Chevron can disclose important information to you by referring you to other documents which it has filed separately with the Commission. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and the information that Chevron files with the Commission after the date hereof will automatically update and may supersede this information. Chevron incorporates by reference the documents listed below and any future filings that Chevron makes with the Commission under sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, until the termination of the offering of securities by this prospectus.
| Chevrons Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017; |
| Chevrons Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018; and |
| Chevrons Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on February 1, 2018 and February 2, 2018 (excluding the Current Report furnished on February 2, 2018 pursuant to Item 2.02Results of Operations and Financial Condition). |
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Upon written or oral request, Chevron will provide, without charge, to each person to whom a copy of this prospectus has been delivered, a copy of any or all of the documents described above that have been or may be incorporated by reference in this prospectus but not delivered with this prospectus. Requests for copies should be directed to:
Chevron Corporation
6001 Bollinger Canyon Rd., Building A
San Ramon, California 94583
Attention: Corporation Treasury (Corporate Finance Division)
Telephone: (925) 842-8049
CHEVRON CORPORATION
Chevron Corporation, a Delaware corporation, manages its investments in subsidiaries and affiliates and provides administrative, financial, management and technology support to U.S. and international subsidiaries that engage in integrated energy and chemicals operations. Upstream operations consist primarily of exploring for, developing and producing crude oil and natural gas; processing, liquefaction, transportation and regasification associated with liquefied natural gas; transporting crude oil by major international oil export pipelines; transporting, storage and marketing of natural gas; and a gas-to-liquids plant. Downstream operations consist primarily of refining crude oil into petroleum products; marketing of crude oil and refined products; transporting crude oil and refined products by pipeline, marine vessel, motor equipment and rail car; and manufacturing and marketing of commodity petrochemicals, plastics for industrial uses and fuel and lubricant additives.
Chevrons executive offices are located at 6001 Bollinger Canyon Road, San Ramon, California 94583 (telephone: (925) 842-1000).
USE OF PROCEEDS
Except as any accompanying prospectus supplement may state, the net proceeds from the sale of debt securities are expected to be used for general corporate purposes, including refinancing a portion of the existing commercial paper borrowings or long-term or short-term debt of Chevron or its subsidiaries, or financing capital programs.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT RELEVANT TO FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
FOR THE PURPOSE OF SAFE HARBOR PROVISIONS OF THE
PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement contains, or incorporates by reference, forward-looking statements relating to Chevrons operations that are based on managements current expectations, estimates and projections about the petroleum, chemicals and other energy-related industries. Words or phrases such as anticipates, expects, intends, plans, targets, forecasts, projects, believes, seeks, schedules, estimates, positions, pursues, may, could, should, budgets, outlook, trends, guidance, focus, on schedule, on track, is slated, goals, objectives, strategies, opportunities and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the companys control and are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward- looking statements. The reader should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement or the relevant document incorporated by reference in this prospectus or such accompanying prospectus supplement. Unless legally required, Chevron undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are: changing crude oil and natural gas prices; changing refining, marketing and chemicals margins; the companys ability to realize anticipated cost savings and expenditure reductions; actions of competitors or regulators; timing of exploration expenses; timing of crude oil liftings; the competitiveness of alternate-energy sources or product substitutes; technological developments; the results of operations and financial condition of the companys suppliers, vendors, partners and equity affiliates, particularly during extended periods of low prices for crude oil and natural gas; the inability or failure of the companys joint-venture partners to fund their share of operations and development activities; the potential failure to achieve expected net production from existing and future crude oil and natural gas development projects; potential delays in the development, construction or start-up of planned projects; the potential disruption or interruption of the companys operations due to war, accidents, political events, civil unrest, severe weather, cyber threats and terrorist acts, crude oil production quotas or other actions that might be imposed by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, or other natural or human causes beyond the companys control; changing economic, regulatory and political environments in the various countries in which the company operates; general domestic and international economic and political conditions; the potential liability for remedial actions or assessments under existing or future environmental regulations and litigation; significant operational, investment or product changes required by existing or future environmental statutes and regulations, including international agreements and national or regional legislation and regulatory measures to limit or reduce greenhouse gas emissions; the potential liability resulting from other pending or future litigation; the companys future acquisition or disposition of assets or shares or the delay or failure of such transactions to close based on required closing conditions; the potential for gains and losses from asset dispositions or impairments; government-mandated sales, divestitures, recapitalizations, industry-specific taxes, changes in fiscal terms or restrictions on scope of company operations; foreign currency movements compared with the U.S. dollar; material reductions in corporate liquidity and access to debt markets; the impact of the 2017 U.S. tax legislation on the companys future results; the effects of changed accounting rules under generally accepted accounting principles promulgated by rule-setting bodies; the companys ability to identify and mitigate the risks and hazards inherent in operating in the global energy industry; and the factors set forth under the heading Risk Factors in any accompanying prospectus supplement and in any documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus or such accompanying prospectus supplement. Other unpredictable or unknown factors not discussed in any accompanying prospectus supplement and in any documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus or such accompanying prospectus supplement could also have material adverse effects on forward-looking statements.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBT SECURITIES
The following is a general description of the debt securities that may be offered by this prospectus. This summary is not meant to be a complete description of the debt securities. The accompanying prospectus supplement will contain the material terms and conditions of the debt securities offered by such prospectus supplement.
Each series of debt securities will be issued under an indenture between Chevron and the trustee named in the indenture. The following description of the indenture is only a summary. A copy of the indenture is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Chevron encourages you to read the indenture in its entirety. For each series of debt securities, the applicable prospectus supplement for the series may change and supplement the summary below.
General
The indenture provides for the issuance of debt securities without limitation as to aggregate principal amount. The debt securities may be issued from time to time in one or more series. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement relating thereto, the debt securities will be unsecured and will rank pari passu with all other existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Chevron. Accordingly, your ownership
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of debt securities means you are one of Chevrons unsecured creditors. The indenture does not limit the amount of other indebtedness or securities that may be issued by Chevron or its subsidiaries.
Debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities registered in the name of a depository or its nominee and, in such case, beneficial interests in the global securities will be shown on, and transfers thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by the designated depository and its participants. Alternatively, debt securities of a series will be issued in registered form as specified in the terms of the series.
Provisions of the Indenture
The indenture provides that debt securities may be issued under it from time to time in one or more series. For each series of debt securities, this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms and conditions of that series of debt securities:
| the title of the series; |
| the maximum aggregate principal amount, if any, established for debt securities of the series, provided, however, that such amount may from time to time be increased by a certified resolution; |
| the price or prices at which the debt securities will be sold; |
| the person to whom any interest on a debt security of the series will be payable, if other than the person in whose name that debt security (or one or more predecessor debt securities) is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest; |
| the date or dates (which may be fixed or floating) on which the principal and premium, if any, of any debt securities of the series will be payable or the method used to determine or extend those dates; |
| the rate or rates at which any debt securities of the series will bear interest, if any, or the method by which such rate or rates shall be determined, the date or dates from which any such interest will accrue, or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the interest payment dates on which any such interest will be payable and the regular record date, if any, for any such interest payable on any interest payment date, or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, the right, if any, to extend or defer interest payments and the duration of such extension or deferral; |
| the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on any debt securities of the series will be payable, the place or places where the debt securities of such series may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange, the place or places where notices and demands to or upon Chevron in respect of the debt securities of such series may be made and the manner in which any payment may be made; |
| the period or periods within which or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currency units in which, and the terms and conditions upon which any debt securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at Chevrons option and, if other than by a certified resolution, the manner in which any election by Chevron to redeem the debt securities will be evidenced; |
| Chevrons obligation or right, if any, to redeem or purchase any debt securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund, amortization or analogous provisions and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currency units in which, and the terms and conditions upon which any debt securities of the series will be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation; |
| if other than denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, the denominations in which any debt securities of the series will be issuable; |
| the name of the trustee under the indenture; |
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| if other than the trustee, the identity of each security registrar and/or paying agent; |
| if the amount of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any debt securities of the series may be determined with reference to a financial or economic measure or index or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts will be determined; |
| if other than U.S. dollars, the currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any debt securities of the series will be payable and the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in U.S. dollars for any purpose; |
| if the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any debt securities of the series is to be payable, at Chevrons election or the election of the holder thereof, in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which such debt securities are stated to be payable, the currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on such debt securities as to which such election is made will be payable, the periods within which or the dates on which and the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made and the amount so payable (or the manner in which such amount will be determined); |
| if provisions for the satisfaction and discharge of the indenture other than as set forth therein shall apply to the debt securities of that series; |
| if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of any debt securities of the series which will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to the indenture or the method by which such portion shall be determined; |
| if the principal amount payable at the stated maturity of any debt securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to the stated maturity, the amount which will be deemed to be the principal amount of such debt securities as of any such date for any purpose thereunder or hereunder, including the principal amount thereof which will be due and payable upon any maturity other than the stated maturity or which will be deemed to be outstanding as of any date prior to the stated maturity (or, in any such case, the manner in which such amount deemed to be the principal amount will be determined); |
| if other than by a certified resolution, the manner in which any election by Chevron to defease any debt securities of the series pursuant to the indenture will be evidenced; whether any debt securities of the series other than debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars and bearing interest at a fixed rate are to be subject to the defeasance provisions of the indenture; or, in the case of debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars and bearing interest at a fixed rate, if applicable, that the debt securities of the series, in whole or any specified part, will not be defeasible pursuant to the indenture; |
| if applicable, that any debt securities of the series shall be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities and, in such case, the respective depositaries for such global securities, the form of any legend or legends which shall be borne by any such global security in addition to or in lieu of that set forth in the indenture and any circumstances in which any such global security may be exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities registered, and any transfer of such global security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name or names of persons other than the depositary for such global security or a nominee thereof; |
| any addition to, deletion from or change in the events of default applicable to any debt securities of the series and any change in the right of the trustee or the requisite holders of such debt securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable; |
| any addition to, deletion from or change in the covenants applicable to debt securities of the series; |
| whether the debt securities of the series will be guaranteed by any persons and, if so, the identity of such persons, the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities will be guaranteed and, if applicable, the terms and conditions upon which such guarantees may be subordinated to other indebtedness of the respective guarantors; |
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| whether the debt securities of the series will be secured by any collateral and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities will be secured and, if applicable, upon which such liens may be subordinated to other liens securing other indebtedness of Chevron or of any guarantor; |
| the exchanges or automated quotation systems, if any, on which the debt securities may be listed or traded; and |
| any other terms of the debt securities of the series (which terms will not be inconsistent with the provisions of the indenture, except as permitted thereunder). |
Interest and Interest Rates
In the applicable prospectus supplement, Chevron will designate the debt securities of a series as being either debt securities bearing interest at a fixed rate of interest or debt securities bearing interest at a floating rate of interest. Each debt security will begin to accrue interest from the date on which it is originally issued. Interest on each such debt security will be payable in arrears on the interest payment dates set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and at maturity or, if earlier, the applicable redemption date. Interest will be payable to the holder of record of the debt securities at the close of business on the record date for each interest payment date, which record dates will be specified in such prospectus supplement.
Redemption
If specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, Chevron may elect to redeem all or part of the outstanding debt securities of a series from time to time before the maturity date of the debt securities of that series. Upon such election, Chevron will notify the trustee of the redemption date and the principal amount of debt securities of the series to be redeemed. If less than all the debt securities of the series are to be redeemed, the particular debt securities of that series to be redeemed will be selected by the trustee in accordance with the depositarys procedures, in the case of notes represented by a global note, or by lot, in the case of notes that are not represented by a global note. The applicable prospectus supplement will specify the redemption price for the debt securities to be redeemed (or the method of calculating such price), in each case in accordance with the terms and conditions of those debt securities.
Unless otherwise specified in a supplemental indenture, notice of redemption will be given to each holder of the debt securities to be redeemed not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior to the date set for such redemption (or within such period as otherwise specified or as contemplated by the indenture for debt securities of a series). This notice will identify the debt securities to be redeemed and will include the following information: the redemption date; the redemption price (or the method of calculating such price); if less than all of the outstanding debt securities of such series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the respective principal amounts) of the particular debt securities to be redeemed; the place or places where such debt securities are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price; and, if applicable, the CUSIP number of the debt securities to be redeemed.
By no later than 11:59 a.m. (New York City time) on the redemption date, Chevron will deposit or cause to be deposited with the trustee or with a paying agent (or, if Chevron is acting as its own paying agent with respect to the debt securities being redeemed, Chevron will segregate and hold in trust as provided in the indenture) an amount of money sufficient to pay the aggregate redemption price of, and (except if the redemption date shall be an interest payment date or the debt securities of such series provide otherwise) accrued interest on, all of the debt securities or the part thereof to be redeemed on that date. On the redemption date, the redemption price will become due and payable upon all of the debt securities to be redeemed, and interest, if any, on the debt securities to be redeemed will cease to accrue from and after that date. Upon surrender of any such debt securities for redemption, Chevron will pay those debt securities surrendered at the redemption price together, if applicable, with accrued interest to the redemption date. If the redemption date is after a regular record date and on or prior to the applicable interest payment date, the accrued and unpaid interest shall be payable to the holder of the redeemed securities registered on the relevant regular record date, subject to the applicable procedures of the depositary.
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Any debt securities to be redeemed only in part must be surrendered at the office or agency established by Chevron for such purpose, and Chevron will execute, and the trustee will authenticate and deliver to a holder without service charge, new debt securities of the same series and of like tenor, of any authorized denominations as requested by that holder, in a principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the debt securities that holder surrenders.
Covenants of Chevron
The indenture sets forth limited covenants that will apply to each series of debt securities issued under the indenture, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. However, these covenants do not, among other things:
| limit the amount of indebtedness or lease obligations that may be incurred by Chevron and Chevrons subsidiaries; |
| limit Chevrons ability or that of its subsidiaries to issue, assume or guarantee debt secured by liens (including in connection with any consolidation or merger); |
| restrict Chevron from paying dividends or making distributions on its capital stock or purchasing or redeeming its capital stock; or |
| place any restrictions on sale and leaseback transactions. |
Certain other Chevron debt securities outstanding at any time may benefit from one or more of the type of covenants noted above.
The holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may, on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series, waive compliance by Chevron with certain restrictive provisions of the indenture.
Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets
The indenture provides that Chevron may consolidate with or merge with or into any other person, and may sell, transfer, or lease or convey all or substantially all of its properties and assets to another person; provided that the following conditions are satisfied:
| Chevron is the continuing entity, or the resulting, surviving or transferee person (the Successor) is a person (if such person is not a corporation, then the Successor will include a corporate co-issuer of the debt securities) organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and the Successor (if not Chevron) will expressly assume, by supplemental indenture, all of Chevrons obligations under the debt securities and the indenture; |
| immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no default or event of default under the indenture has occurred and is continuing; and |
| the trustee receives from Chevron an officers certificate and an opinion of counsel that the transaction and such supplemental indenture, as the case may be, complies with the applicable provisions of the indenture. |
If Chevron consolidates or merges with or into any other person or sells, transfers, leases or conveys all or substantially all of its properties and assets in accordance with the indenture, the Successor will be substituted for Chevron in the indenture, with the same effect as if it had been an original party to the indenture. As a result, the Successor may exercise Chevrons rights and powers under the indenture, and Chevron will be released from all its liabilities and obligations under the indenture and under the debt securities.
For purposes of this covenant, person means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.
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Events of Default
The indenture defines an event of default with respect to any particular series of debt securities as any one of the following events:
| default in the payment of interest on any debt securities of a series issued under the indenture for 30 days after becoming due; |
| default in the payment of the principal of or any premium, if any, on any debt securities of a series issued under the indenture at its stated maturity date; |
| default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when and as due by the terms of any series of securities issued under the indenture; |
| default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty in the indenture (other than a covenant included in the indenture solely for the benefit of any series of debt securities other than that series) for 90 days after notice to Chevron by the trustee or to Chevron and the trustee by the holders of at least twenty-five percent (25%) in principal amount of the debt securities of all series affected; |
| particular events of bankruptcy, insolvency or similar reorganization of Chevron; or |
| any other event of default provided with respect to debt securities of that series. |
An event of default with respect to one series of debt securities will not necessarily constitute an event of default with respect to any other series of debt securities. If an event of default with respect to the debt securities of any one or more series occurs and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of not less than twenty-five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of each such series may declare the principal amount (or such portion thereof as may be specified in the prospectus supplement relating to any such series) of all of the debt securities of that series, together with any accrued interest, to be immediately due and payable. Under certain conditions, such a declaration may be annulled. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an event of default pursuant to events of bankruptcy, insolvency or similar reorganization of Chevron occurs, the unpaid principal of, premium, if any, and any accrued and unpaid interest on all the debt securities shall become and be immediately due and payable without further action or notice on the part of the trustee or any holder.
The indenture provides that the trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of a default actually known to the trustee, give the holders of debt securities notice of all uncured defaults actually known to one of its responsible officers (the term default to mean the events specified above without grace periods); provided, however, that, except in the case of default in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any debt security, the trustee shall be fully protected in withholding such notice if it in good faith determines the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the holders of debt securities.
Chevron will be required to furnish to the trustee annually a statement by the principal financial officer, the principal executive officer, or the principal accounting officer of Chevron stating whether or not, to the best of his or her knowledge, Chevron is in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions under the indenture and, if Chevron is in default, specifying each such default and what actions have been taken to cure such default.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series affected will have the right, subject to certain limitations, to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of such series, and to waive certain defaults with respect thereto. The indenture provides that in case an event of default shall occur and be continuing, the trustee shall exercise such of its rights and powers under the indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any of the holders of debt securities unless they shall have offered to the trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request.
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The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series may, on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series, waive any past default and its consequences under the indenture with respect to the debt securities of that series, except a default (1) in the payment of principal or premium, if any, or interest on debt securities of that series or (2) in respect of a covenant or provision of the indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each debt security of that series. Upon any such waiver, such default will cease to exist, and any event of default arising therefrom will be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of the indenture; however, no such waiver will extend to any subsequent or other default or event of default or impair any rights consequent thereon.
Modifications and Waivers
Modification and amendments of the indenture and the debt securities of any series may be made by Chevron and the trustee with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series affected thereby; provided, however, that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of that series affected thereby:
| change the stated maturity of the principal of, premium, if any, or installment of interest on, any debt security; |
| reduce the principal amount of any debt security or reduce the amount of the principal of any debt security which would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof or reduce the rate of interest on any debt security; |
| reduce any premium payable on the redemption of any debt security or change the date on which any debt security may or must be redeemed; |
| change the coin or currency in which the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any debt security is payable; |
| impair the right of any holder to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or after the stated maturity of any debt security (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date); |
| reduce the percentage in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities, the consent of whose holders is required in order to take certain actions; |
| reduce the requirements for quorum or voting by holders of debt securities in the indenture or the debt security; |
| modify any of the provisions in the indenture regarding the waiver of past defaults and the waiver of certain covenants by the holders of debt securities except to increase any percentage vote required or to provide that certain other provisions of the indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each debt security affected thereby; or |
| modify any of the above provisions. |
Chevron and the trustee may, without the consent of any holders, modify or amend the terms of the indenture and the debt securities of any series with respect to the following:
| to add to Chevrons covenants for the benefit of holders of the debt securities of all or any series or to surrender any right or power conferred upon Chevron; |
| to evidence the succession of another person to, and the assumption by the successor of Chevrons covenants, agreements and obligations under, the indenture pursuant to the covenant described under Covenants of ChevronConsolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets; |
| to add any additional events of default for the benefit of holders of the debt securities of all or any series; |
| to add one or more guarantees or co-obligors for the benefit of holders of the debt securities; |
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| to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor trustee with respect to the debt securities of one or more series and/or to add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts under the indenture by more than one trustee; |
| to provide for the issuance of additional debt securities of any series; |
| to establish the form or terms of debt securities of any series as permitted by the indenture; |
| to comply with the roles of any depositary; |
| to secure the debt securities; |
| to add or change any of the provisions of the indenture as necessary to permit the issuance of debt securities in uncertificated form; |
| to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of the indenture in respect of one or more series of debt securities; provided that any such addition, change or elimination (a) shall neither (1) apply to any debt security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor (2) modify the rights of the holder of any such debt security with respect to such provision or (b) shall become effective only when there is no debt security described in clause (a)(1) outstanding; |
| to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency; |
| to change any other provision; provided that the change does not adversely affect the interests of the holders of debt securities of any series in any material respect; |
| to supplement any of the provisions of the indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of debt securities pursuant to the indenture; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of debt securities of such series or any other series of debt securities in any material respect; |
| to comply with the rules or regulations of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which any of the debt securities may be listed or traded; or |
| to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of the indenture as shall be necessary or desirable in accordance with any amendments to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the Trust Indenture Act), provided that such action does not adversely affect the rights or interests of any holder of debt securities in any material respect. |
Defeasance and Discharge
Chevron may discharge certain obligations to holders of the debt securities of a series bearing interest at a fixed rate of interest that have not already been delivered to the trustee for cancellation and that either have become due and payable or will become due and payable within one year (or scheduled for redemption within one year) by depositing with the trustee, in trust, funds in U.S. dollars in an amount sufficient to pay the entire indebtedness including, but not limited to, the principal and premium, if any, and interest to the date of such deposit (if the debt securities have become due and payable) or to the maturity thereof or the redemption date of the debt securities of that series, as the case may be. Chevron may direct the trustee to invest such funds in U.S. Treasury securities with a maturity of one year or less or in a money market fund that invests solely in short-term U.S. Treasury securities.
The indenture provides that Chevron may elect either (1) to defease and be discharged from any and all obligations with respect to the debt securities of a series (except for, among other things, obligations to register the transfer or exchange of the debt securities, to replace temporary or mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities, to maintain an office or agency with respect to the debt securities and to hold moneys for payment in
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trust) (legal defeasance) or (2) to be released from Chevrons obligations to comply with the restrictive covenants under the indenture, and any omission to comply with such obligations will not constitute a default or an event of default with respect to the debt securities of a series and the fourth and sixth bulleted provision under Events of Default will no longer be applied (covenant defeasance). Legal defeasance or covenant defeasance, as the case may be, will be conditioned upon, among other things, the irrevocable deposit by Chevron with the trustee, in trust, of an amount in U.S. dollars, or U.S. government obligations, or both, applicable to the debt securities of that series which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent accountants, to pay the principal or premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities on the scheduled due dates therefor.
If Chevron effects covenant defeasance with respect to the debt securities of any series, the amount in U.S. dollars, or U.S. government obligations, or both, on deposit with the trustee will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent accountants, to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of the stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of the acceleration resulting from such event of default. However, Chevron would remain liable to make payment of such amounts due at the time of acceleration.
Chevron will be required to deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel that the deposit and related defeasance will not cause the holders and beneficial owners of the debt securities of that series to recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes. If Chevron elects legal defeasance, that opinion of counsel must be based upon a ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or a change in law to that effect.
Chevron may exercise its legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option.
Governing Law
The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
Concerning the Trustee
The trustee for the debt securities of a series will be identified in the relevant accompanying prospectus supplement for the issuance of such debt securities.
The indenture provides that there may be more than one trustee under the indenture, each for one or more series of debt securities. If there are different trustees for different series of debt securities, each trustee will be a trustee of a trust under the indenture separate and apart from the trust administered by any other trustee under that indenture. Except as otherwise indicated in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, any action permitted to be taken by a trustee may be taken by such trustee only on the one or more series of debt securities for which it is the trustee under the indenture.
In certain instances, Chevron or the holders of a majority of the then-outstanding principal amount of a series of debt securities may remove a trustee from one or more series of debt securities for which it is a trustee under the indenture and appoint a successor trustee to such series of debt securities.
From time to time, a trustee may also serve as trustee under other indentures relating to debt securities issued by Chevron or affiliated companies and may engage in commercial transactions with Chevron and affiliated companies. Further, a trustee may become the owner or pledgee of any of the debt securities for which it is a trustee under the indenture with the same rights and powers it would have if it were not the trustee.
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Debt securities may be sold in any one or more of the following ways:
| directly to purchasers or a single purchaser; |
| through agents; |
| through dealers; |
| through one or more underwriters acting alone or through underwriting syndicates led by one or more managing underwriters; |
each as may be identified in a prospectus supplement relating to an issuance of debt securities.
If debt securities described in a prospectus supplement are underwritten, the prospectus supplement will name each underwriter of the securities. Only underwriters named in a prospectus supplement will be deemed to be underwriters of the securities offered by that prospectus supplement. Prospectus supplements relating to underwritten offerings of securities will also describe:
| the discounts and commissions to be allowed or paid to the underwriters; |
| all other items constituting underwriting compensation; |
| the discounts or concessions to be allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers, if any; and |
| the exchanges, if any, on which the securities will be listed. |
Debt securities may be sold directly by Chevron through agents designated by Chevron from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of securities, and any commission payable by Chevron to such agent, will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, any agent involved in the offer or sale of securities will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
If indicated in a prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters will be subject to conditions precedent. With respect to a sale of debt securities, the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all securities offered if any are purchased.
Chevron will indemnify any underwriters and agents against, and contribute toward, various civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Underwriters and agents may engage in transactions with or perform services for Chevron and affiliated companies in the ordinary course of business.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of any debt securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon by Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, San Francisco, California.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements and managements assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Managements Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
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Part II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
All amounts reflected in the table below are estimated except the SEC registration fee.
SEC Registration Fee |
$ | (1 | ) | |
Trustee Fees and Expenses |
(2 | ) | ||
Rating Agency Fees |
(2 | ) | ||
Printing Fees |
(2 | ) | ||
Legal Fees and Expenses |
(2 | ) | ||
Accounting Fees and Expenses |
(2 | ) | ||
Miscellaneous |
(2 | ) | ||
|
|
|||
Total |
$ | (2 | ) | |
|
|
(1) | Deferred in accordance with Rule 456(b). |
(2) | The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the estimated aggregate amount of expenses payable by Chevron in respect of any offering of debt securities. |
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, in which Chevron is incorporated, permits the indemnification of any person against expenses (including attorneys fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding in which such person is made a party by reason of his or her being or having been a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or serving or having served, at the request of the corporation, as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, in terms sufficiently broad to permit such indemnification under certain circumstances for liabilities (including reimbursement for expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act. The statute provides that indemnification pursuant to its provisions is not exclusive of other rights of indemnification to which a person may be entitled under any by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.
Article VIII of Chevrons Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the Chevron Certificate) provides for indemnification of its directors, officers, employees and other agents and any person serving or having served, at the request of the corporation, as a director, officer, manager, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other organization or enterprise, to the fullest extent permitted by law.
As permitted by section 102 of General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Chevron Certificate eliminates the liability of a Chevron director for monetary damages to Chevron and its stockholders for any breach of the directors fiduciary duty, except for liability under section 174 of General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or liability for any breach of the directors duty of loyalty to Chevron or its stockholders, for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law or for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
The directors and officers of Chevron are covered by policies of insurance under which they are insured, within limits and subject to limitations, against certain expenses in connection with the defense of actions, suits or proceedings, and certain liabilities which might be imposed as a result of such actions, suits or proceedings, in which they are parties by reason of being or having been directors or officers; Chevron is similarly insured with respect to certain payments it might be required to make to its directors or officers or directors or officers of its subsidiaries under the applicable statutes and Chevrons by-law provisions.
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The underwriters or agents on whose behalf the agreement listed as Exhibit 1.1 to this registration statement will be executed will agree in such agreement to indemnify directors and officers of Chevron, and persons controlling Chevron, within the meaning of the Securities Act, against certain liabilities that might arise out of or are based upon certain information furnished to Chevron by any such underwriter or agent or to contribute to payments that may be required to be made in respect of these liabilities.
Item 16. Exhibits
* | Filed in this registration statement |
Item 17. Undertakings
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities and
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Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the Calculation of Registration Fee table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.
Provided, however, that paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:
(A) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.
(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:
The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
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(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
(6) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrants annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plans annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(7) To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions described under Item 15 above, including any charter provision, by law or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Chevron Corporation certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Ramon, State of California, on May 3, 2018.
CHEVRON CORPORATION | ||
By | /s/ Randolph S. Richards | |
Randolph S. Richards | ||
Vice President and Treasurer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on May 3, 2018.
Principal Executive Officer (and Director) | Directors | |||||||
/s/ MICHAEL K. WIRTH |
/s/ WANDA M. AUSTIN * | |||||||
Michael K. Wirth Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer |
Wanda M. Austin | |||||||
/s/ LINNET F. DEILY * | ||||||||
Principal Financial Officer | Linnet F. Deily | |||||||
/s/ PATRICIA E. YARRINGTON |
/s/ ROBERT E. DENHAM * | |||||||
Patricia E. Yarrington Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
Robert E. Denham | |||||||
/s/ JOHN B. FRANK * | ||||||||
Principal Accounting Officer | John B. Frank | |||||||
/s/ JEANETTE L. OURADA |
/s/ ALICE P. GAST * | |||||||
Jeanette L. Ourada Vice President and Comptroller |
Alice P. Gast | |||||||
/s/ ENRIQUE HERNANDEZ, JR. * | ||||||||
Enrique Hernandez, Jr. | ||||||||
/s/ CHARLES W. MOORMAN IV * | ||||||||
Charles W. Moorman IV | ||||||||
/s/ DAMBISA F. MOYO * | ||||||||
Dambisa F. Moyo | ||||||||
/s/ RONALD D. SUGAR * | ||||||||
Ronald D. Sugar | ||||||||
/s/ INGE G. THULIN * | ||||||||
Inge G. Thulin | ||||||||
*By | /s/ MARY A. FRANCIS |
/s/ D. JAMES UMPLEBY III * | ||||||
Mary A. Francis Attorney-In-Fact |
D. James Umpleby III |
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