Chevron has announced a one-time bonus for most of its employees following a strong financial performance in the first half of 2026, driven largely by elevated crude oil prices and improved operational efficiency.

The incentive, equivalent to half of an employee’s monthly base salary, was disclosed in an internal message from Chief Executive Officer Mike Wirth to staff.

In the message, Wirth commended employees for helping the company exceed key performance targets despite a challenging global operating environment. He cited successful cost-cutting measures, faster-than-expected integration benefits from Chevron’s acquisition of Hess, and the company’s ability to maintain safe operations in regions affected by geopolitical tensions, including Venezuela and the Middle East.

He described the company’s performance as exceptional, noting that the results reflected the dedication of employees during a period marked by significant global uncertainty.

The bonus announcement comes days after Chevron reported record quarterly earnings, supported by higher oil prices linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, which has tightened global crude markets.

Meanwhile, the company’s strong earnings have drawn criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has renewed calls for major oil producers to reduce fuel prices for consumers.

Speaking during a television interview and in a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump urged large oil companies to lower retail gasoline prices and singled out Chevron, arguing that consumers should benefit from the industry’s strong profits. He also suggested the company had not sufficiently acknowledged his administration’s role in supporting the energy sector.

Chevron had not publicly responded to the president’s remarks as of Monday.