Oligarchs’ favourite Maxim Barsky to return to TNK-BP
TNK-BP has beefed up its team ahead of a looming dispute with its co-owner BP, with the Russian oil firm’s former deputy chief executive Maxim Barsky rejoining as an adviser.
Barsky, who left the firm last year when BP failed to support his appointment as chief executive, is a favourite of AAR, the group of oligarchs who own the other 50 per cent stake in TNK-BP.
A source close to Russia’s third-biggest oil firm said the role might pave the way for Barsky to take the top job at TNK-BP, where a board room feud led to the resignation of shareholder Mikhail Fridman as chief executive on Monday.
Barsky was named as Fridman’s successor as early as 2009, but failed to win round BP’s executives.
He recently bought a stake and became chief executive of London-listed oil explorer Mantra. A TNK-BP spokesman would not comment.
• BP plans to resume drilling in Libya, after it suspended operations last year during the uprising against Muammar Gaddafi. The oil firm follows other majors, including Eni and Total in restarting Libya operations.