(EnergyAsia, April 18 2011, Monday) — CNOOC Limited said its board has appointed Wang Yilin as its chairman and non-executive director of the company, replacing Fu Chengyu in both positions effective last Friday (April 15).

From November 2005 to April 14 2011, Mr Wang served as a director of PetroChina Company Limited, a company listed on the New York Stock Exchange, The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited and Shanghai Stock Exchange. Since April 8, he also served as chairman of China National Offshore Oil Corporation.

Born in 1956, Mr Wang graduated from China University of Petroleum majoring in petroleum geology and exploration and received a doctorate degree. He has worked nearly 30 years in China’s oil and gas industry. From June 1996 to September 1999, he served as the deputy director and chief exploration geologist of Xinjiang Petroleum Administration Bureau. From September 1999 to May 2004, he served as the general manager of Xinjiang Oilfield Company.

From June 2001 to May 2004, he served as the senior executive of Xinjiang Petroleum Administration Bureau. From July to December 2003, he was the assistant to the general manager of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC).

From December 2003 to April 2011, he served as the deputy general manager of CNPC, and was promoted to safety director from July 2004 to July 2007.

Mr Wang said: “With joint efforts of the board, the management team and the entire staff, CNOOC Limited has grown into an outstanding company. In this new role, I will fulfill my duty with my best endeavour, to enhance the company’s capability of value creation and sustainable growth.

“On behalf the board, I would like to thank Mr Fu for his exceptional contribution to the development of CNOOC Limited.”

Yang Hua, CNOOC Limited’s vice chairman and CEO, said: “Mr Wang Yilin has abundant experiences in the oil and gas industry in China. With his leadership we will work more closely together to bring more value to our shareholders.”