Shell Names New Downstream Director

THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS -- Royal Dutch Shell plc appointed John Abbott its downstream director, effective Oct. 1.

In his new role, Abbott will become a member of The Hague, Netherlands-based company's executive committee and take over for Ben van Beurden, who CSNews Online previously reported is being promoted to CEO of the oil company on Jan 1. Retail operations are among the segments incorporated under Shell's downstream division and will hence be part of Abbott's job responsibilities.

Abbott, a native of England, is currently Shell's executive vice president of manufacturing. In this role, he is responsible for approximately 30 oil refineries and petrochemicals plants worldwide. He joined Shell in 1981 and has held a variety of management positions in refining, chemicals and upstream heavy oil, working in the United Kingdom, Singapore, the Netherlands, Canada and the United States.

Van Beurden will replace Peter Voser, who is leaving Shell in March after spending 29 years with the company.