(EnergyAsia, February 21 2012, Tuesday) — Brazil’s state-owned oil and gas major Petrobras has appointed Maria das Graças Silva Foster as CEO, succeeding José Sergio Gabrielli de Azevedo from February 13.
Ms Silva Foster, who has been with Petrobras for 31 years, will also replace Mr Gabrielli in the company’s board of directors. A chemical engineer, she last served as the company’s Director for Gas and Energy and as CEO of Gaspetro – Petrobras Gás SA from 2007.
She was also previously CEO of Petroquisa – Petrobras Química SA, and CEO and CFO of Petrobras Distribuidora SA, as well as Secretary of Oil, Natural Gas and Renewable Fuels at the Brazilian Ministry of Mines and Energy from January 2003 to September 2005.
Ms Silva Foster remains chairwoman of Transportadora Brasileira Gasoduto Bolívia-Brasil SA and Transportadora Associada de Gás SA, and is a member of the board of Transpetro – Petrobras Transporte SA, Petrobras Biocombustível SA, and Braskem SA.