Chevron Corp. has announced a $5.2 billion capital and exploratory spending program for 2000. "Our spending program reflects continued confidence in our company's prospects for growth," said Chevron Chairman and CEO Dave O'Reilly. The 2000 plan is 16.5 percent less than estimated actual 1999 spending because of two acquisitions. The company plans to invest $3.6 billion, or 69 percent of total 2000 spending, in worldwide exploration and production. Spending in the U.S. will be $1.3 billion. The program includes funding for growth projects in the U.S., where deep-water gross production reached 98,000 bpd of oil and equivalent gas from the Gemini and Genesis fields at year-end 1999; and in Canada, where the company will participate in the Athabasca Oil Sands Project (20 percent interest).