The boss of Maersk Oil UK will be returning to Denmark as the firm appoints a new head of its UK business.
Martin Rune Pedersen will become head of the Danish firm’s domestic oil business, while Morten Kelstrup will become managing director in Aberdeen from 1 April 2015.
Mr Rune Pedersen has been managing director of the business since 2010. He has worked for the firm for 17 years following a career as an officer in the Danish Army.
Mr Kelstrup, a Danish national, has worked for Maersk Oil since 1998 in a number of commercial roles, including managing director of Maersk Oil Kazakhstan and Vice President of Strategy and Economics.
Commenting on his appointment, Mr Kelstrup said:“I am excited and privileged to be taking on this opportunity in Aberdeen and working with the fantastic team Maersk Oil has assembled at a time of considerable pressure on our industry to maximise value.
“It will not be an easy task to step into Martin’s shoes. But I look forward to bringing my experience to the task of continuing the operational and safety performance journey Martin and the team have already delivered.”
Mr Kelstrup will arrive as the firm takes its final investment decision on the firm’s £3billion Culzean gas field.
It is also a partner in the Golden Eagle development, from which production started in October. Golden Eagle, about 44 miles north-east of Aberdeen, is expected to hit peak output of 70,000 barrels of oil a day next year.
Maersk Oil chief operating officer, Gretchen Watkins, said: “The UK North Sea is a core area for Maersk Oil, which we demonstrate through our investment in developments such as Culzean and Golden Eagle.
“Morten takes over a robust operational platform from Martin, and will steer Culzean – one of the largest current developments on the UKCS – towards a final investment decision later this year.”
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