Major oil and gas operator GDF Suez has promoted Paris-based executive Rob Buchan to oversee its operations in the UK.
Among the major projects the Aberdeen university graduate will oversee is the development of the Cygnus field, the largest gas discovery in the southern North Sea for quarter of a century.
Significant infrastructure assets for the Cygnus project are being manufactured at BiFab in Fife.
Mr Buchan will also take responsibility for the Juliet field in the same region which is due to start production later this year.
The company is also actively pursuing a number of exploration and drilling licences in the North Sea and has also assumed operator status in a field west of Shetland.
Mr Buchan has worked for GDF Suez E&P since 2008 when he joined as operations manager in Aberdeen.
He moved to the firm’s head office the following year and his most recent role was as senior vice-president of operations for GDF Suez E&P International.
He had previously worked with Dowell Schlumberger on international assignments and spent 24 years with BP in drilling and operations management roles in Aberdeen and London.
Mr Buchan said: “GDF Suez E&P is at a very exciting stage of its growth in the UK and I look forward to returning to Aberdeen as we prepare for first gas from Juliet and progress construction for Cygnus while pursuing an active xploration and appraisal programme.”