Institut Francais du Pétrole names Olivier Appert as its chair, CEO
Olivier Appert was named chairman and CEO of Paris-based Institut Francais du Pétrole (IFP), replacing Claude Mandil who became executive director of the International Energy Agency effective Feb. 1 (OGJ, Jan. 27, 2003, p. 7).
Formerly deputy director with the France Ministry of Industry, Appert joined IFP's general management team in 1994.
He had directed IEA's long-term cooperation and policy analysis since October 1999.
Upstream moves
Charles L. Blackburn was elected chairman of Forth Worth, Tex.-based independent Range Resources Corp. He succeeds Thomas J. Edelman, who will step down from his position May 21.
Previously, Blackburn served as an executive vice-president of Shell Oil Co. and as chairman and CEO of Maxus Energy Corp. He has worked in the oil and gas industry for more than 40 years. John H. Pinkerton will continue to serve as the company's president and CEO.
Steven R. Williams will succeed Petroleum Development Corp. Chairman and CEO James N. Ryan upon Ryan's retirement at the end of 2003, the company announced. PDC is based in Bridgeport, Va.
Williams, who joined PDC in 1983, will continue to serve as company president in addition to his new assignments. Williams and Dale G. Rettinger, executive vice-president and chief financial officer, will share Ryan's former responsibilities.
Cabot Oil & Gas Corp., Houston, appointed Les Watson as vice-president of Cabot Petroleum Canada.
Watson will oversee the firm's exploration, production, and operation activities from an office in Calgary. He joined Cabot after serving as vice-president, Canadian operations, for Petrocorp Inc.
Tesco Corp., Calgary, has named Bruce F. Longaker Jr. as its executive vice-president and chief financial officer.
Longaker joins Tesco with more than 20 years of experience in the oil field service industry, most recently as executive vice-president and chief financial officer with McDermott International Inc.
Other moves
Reliant Resources Inc., Houston, has named Joel V. Staff as interim chairman and CEO following the resignation of former Chairman and CEO Steve Letbetter. Reliant has hired a search firm to find a new CEO.
A Reliant board member, Staff served as National Oilwell Inc. chairman, president, and CEO from July 1993 to May 2001 and remains a member of its board.