Norwegian major Equinor has appointed Philippe FranCois Mathieu as executive vice president for international exploration and production, replacing Al Cook who will leave the company to take up a position as chief executive with De Beers Group.

Equinor chief executive Anders Opedal said: “I am very pleased to welcome Philippe to the corporate executive committee.

“He has a broad background from several senior leadership roles and has contributed to shape Equinor’s updated strategy and ambition to become a leading company in the energy transition.

“I am confident he will lead EPI into the future and bring valuable perspectives to the corporate executive committee.”

Mathieu has held several senior roles across since joining Equinor in 1995.

Before his most recent role as senior vice president for corporate strategy, Matthueu was senior vice president for joint operations support for E&P Norway from 2016-2019, as well as senior vice president for corporate finance from 2014 to 2016 and senior vice president for business development in midstream infrastructure between 2011 and 2014.

He has also held several senior positions within marketing and supply in commercialising gas contracts in both North Africa and Europe, including a posting in Algeria.

Mathieu said: “I look very much forward to join the corporate executive committee to further develop our international portfolio, that has an important role for the realization of Equinor’s strategy in the energy transition. says