TNK-BP offers race for chief executive

MOSCOW, May 27 (UPI) -- Partners in the Anglo-Russian oil venture TNK-BP will put two executives in direct competition for the role of chief executive as the management row drags on.

Officials at TNK-BP, a joint venture between BP and Alfa-Access-Renova group, have been at odds over the choice of chief executive since at least last year when Moscow ousted former chief Robert Dudley from office.

Former Chief Operating Officer Tim Summers has served as acting CEO since Dudley stepped down in December.

An arrangement following the ouster of Dudley gives BP the right to pick a Russian-speaking candidate, though TNK-BP board members and AAR must sanction the decision.

The Russian side had rejected the BP choice of Pavel Skitovich, a former gold and investment manager, because he lacked oil industry experience, The Financial Times reports. Instead, he will serve alongside the Russian choice of Maxim Barsky, a former chief at the independent Russian oil company West Siberian Resources.

Both men will compete for the post of chief executive, with a final decision expected by the end of the year.

Summers will serve as the interim chief in the meantime.