HURRICANE Energy has appointed a new chief executive officer.
Antony Maris, a 35-year industry veteran, replaces founder Robert Trice who left the post in June.
He has been appointed chief executive designate, having most recently spent 15 years with Asia and Middle East-focussed Pharos Energy, previously known as SOCO International.
Mr Maris will become CEO after Hurricane Energy publishes its interim 2020 financial results on September 11, taking over from acting boss Beverley Smith.
At Pharos, where he worked as chief operating officer, Mr Maris oversaw development of several offshore oil fields, including “fractured basement” reservoirs – Hurricane’s specialty – in Vietnam and Yemen.
Mr Maris received the Friendship Order Medal, an honour for foreigners who contribute to Vietnam’s development, due to Pharos’ output in the country of 60,000 barrels of oil per day at its peak.
He has also held engineering and management roles at Consort Resources, Lasmo Plc, Monument Oil and Gas and Phllips Petroleum.
Steve McTieran, chairman, said: “I am very pleased to report that Antony Maris has agreed to assume the Chief Executive role at Hurricane. His leadership record with entrepreneurial oil and gas companies, and importantly his technical experience and knowledge of the behaviour of fractured basement reservoirs, makes him the ideal candidate to lead Hurricane.
“The short transition period with Beverley Smith will allow their combined contribution to the ongoing technical review. I would also like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to Beverley for ably stewarding the Company during the leadership transition.”
Ms Smith will return to a non-executive role after September 11.
