Johnson named interim PetroNeft CEO

Karl Johnson, vice-president of operations of PetroNeft Resources PLC, Dublin, was named interim chief executive officer after Dennis Francis announced his retirement from the position.

Francis was a founder of the company, which has oil-producing and development interests in the Tomsk Oblast of Russia, in 2004.

He will remain as a nonexecutive director and consultant to assist with options that, according to a PetroNeft statement, include disposal of the two Tomsk area licenses in which the company holds 50% operated interests.

Johnson joined the company in 2010 and previously worked 27 years with Marathon.