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PhosAgro’s shareholders elected a new board of directors during the company’s annual general meeting (AGM), held on 24 March. The new board includes: Viktor Ivanov, Yuriy Krugovykh, Siroj Loikov, Natalia Pashkevich, Mikhail Rybnikov, Alexander Seleznev, Vladimir Trukhachev, Viktor Cherepov, Alexander Sharabaiko and Andrey Sharonov. The AGM also approved the company’s annual report for 2022, which reflected total production of 11.1 million t/a of agrochemical products (up nearly 5% year-on-year); and a one-third increase in investments to develop the company. PhosAgro CEO Mikhail Rybnikov said: “The consistent implementation of our long-term development programme enabled us to increase production last year, and we remained the leader in terms of the total supply of all types of fertilizers to the domestic market and expanded our support in the social sphere considerably. We intend to maintain this momentum of steady development. In 2023, we expect further growth in the production of agrochemical products, to 11.3 million tonnes. Our workforce laid the groundwork for this in January-February, as we increased production of phosphoric acid and sulphuric acid by 22% and 17% year-onyear, respectively, over this period.”

“In 2023… the second start-up complex for the 10th horizon at the Kirovsky mine is expected to come online by the end of the year. In Cherepovets, in addition to projects to support capacities for the production of ammonia, phosphoric acid and sulphuric acid, a project to increase the processing of phosphate rock under development. In Balakovo, we are going to complete projects to increase the production of feed phosphates and sulphuric acid by the end of the year, and we are also starting the third stage in the development of the production facility by establishing a flexible arrangement for the production of MAP/DAP/NPS/NPK fertilizers. Our new million-tonne plant in Volkhov is expected to reach design capacity in 2023. Furthermore, the possibility of building new facilities for the production of ammonia and urea in Cherepovets and Volkhov is being analysed.”

Tareq Kawash.

UK-based oilfield services provider Petro-fac has confirmed the appointment of Tareq Kawash as Group Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, replacing Sami Iskander from April 1, 2023. In a statement, the company said Iskander has stepped down from the board. Kawash was most recently working as McDermott’s Senior Vice President of Global Onshore and Middle East Offshore Business Lines, as well as a member of McDermott’s Executive Committee.

“With 30 years’ international EPC leadership experience and an impressive business development track record, Tareq is exceptionally well placed to build on the foundations laid by Sami,” said Petrofac Non-Executive Chairman René Médori.

Itafos Inc. says that Evgenij Iorich has stepped down as member of the company’s board of directors effective from April 6, 2023. Iorich had served as a director since July 11, 2017. “On behalf of the Company, and the Board of Directors, I would like to thank Mr. Iorich for his service and contributions,” said Tony Cina, Chairman.

Colombia’s majority state-owned energy company Ecopetrol has appointed Ricardo Roa as its new chief executive, assuming the role from April 30 at the latest. Roa’s appointment follows the recent exit of former chief executive Felipe Bayon, who stood down from the role at the end of March. Ecopetrol announced in January that Bayon would be leaving the company, with his departure representing a shake-up for Colombia’s biggest company and largest producer of oil. Roa, a mechanical engineer, has more than 30 years’ experience, particularly in leading strategic transformations in the energy sector.

“My commitment is to lead with all the professional rigor, from this great company, a fair and sustainable energy transition for the benefit of the entire country,” Roa said.