MarketWatch: BP replaces Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey ops chief

British oil major BP PLC said Friday it has replaced its regional president for its operations in Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, in a move that follows recent criticism of a BP-led consortium by Azeri President Ilham Aliyev for declines in oil output.

Gordon Birrell, the company's current head of safety and operational risk, will replace Rashid Javanshir on Nov. 15, BP said in a statement that didn't give a reason for the staffing change.

Javanshir, who had run BP's operations in the three countries since 2009, will return to London to work as a senior vice president for strategy and integration.

"We are bringing Rashid to London to a position which will allow us to utilize his extensive experience beyond the AGT region and in support of the wider BP," the company said.  MORE