Total has appointed a new managing director for its UK exploration and production business.
Frenchman Philippe Guys has taken up the role at Total E&P UK, based at its Aberdeen headquarters, replacing Roland Festor.
Mr Festor had been managing director of the UK business for more than five years, during which time the firm has been pushing ahead with its £3billion investment in the major Laggan-Tormore project West of Shetland.
Total’s spokespeople were unable to say what Mr Festor was moving on to.
Mr Guys, an engineer, has spent the past more than four years as managing director of Total E&P Qatar.
He has been with Total for 31 years and has a background principally in drilling, production and research and development.
He spent two years in Aberdeen when based with Total E&P UK from 1991 to 1993.
Mr Guys said: “With our Laggan-Tormore project in full swing, our West Franklin 2 and Islay developments underway and an active drilling programme ongoing, it promises to be a busy few years ahead – to which I am greatly looking forward.”
Mr Guys, 57, has held senior posts around the world in countries including China, Indonesia, Venezuela, Myanmar, France and the Middle East.
He is a graduate of the Ecole Centrale de Nantes and the Ecole Nationale Superieure du Petrole et des Moteurs. He is married with two children.