that affects the results of operations for both segments is movement in the price of crude oil. In the downstream business, crude oil is the largest cost component of refined products. The overall trend in earnings is typically less affected by results from the company’s chemicals business and other activities and investments. Earnings for the company in any period may also be influenced by events or transactions that are infrequent and/ or unusual in nature.

     In recent years and through most of 2008, Chevron and the oil and gas industry at large experienced an increase in certain costs that exceeded the general trend of inflation in many areas of the world. This increase in costs affected the company’s operating expenses and capital programs for all business segments, but particularly for upstream. These cost pressures began to soften somewhat in late 2008. As the price of crude oil dropped precipitously from a record high in mid-year, the demand for some goods and services in the industry began to slacken. This cost trend is expected to continue during 2009 if crude-oil prices do not significantly rebound. (Refer to the “Upstream” section on next page for a discussion of the trend in crude-oil prices.)

     The company’s operations, especially upstream, can also be affected by changing economic, regulatory and political environments in the various countries in which it operates, including the United States. Civil unrest, acts of violence or strained relations between a government and the company or other governments may impact the company’s operations or investments. Those developments have at times significantly affected the company’s operations and results and are carefully considered by management when evaluating the level of current and future activity in such countries.

     To sustain its long-term competitive position in the upstream business, the company must develop and replenish an inventory of projects that offer adequate financial returns for the investment required. Identifying promising areas for exploration, acquiring the necessary rights to explore for and to produce crude oil and natural gas, drilling successfully, and handling the many technical and operational details in a safe and cost-effective manner are all important factors in this effort. Projects often require long lead times and large capital commitments. From time to time, certain governments have sought to renegotiate contracts or impose additional costs on the company. Governments may attempt to do so in the future. The company will continue to monitor these developments, take them into account in evaluating future investment opportunities, and otherwise seek to mitigate any risks to the company’s current operations or future prospects.

     The company also continually evaluates opportunities to dispose of assets that are not expected to provide sufficient long-term value or to acquire assets or operations complementary to its asset base to help augment the company’s growth. Refer to the “Results of Operations” section beginning on page FS-6 for discussions of net gains on asset sales during 2008. Asset dispositions and restructurings may occur in