Doha, Qatar, 2 October 2013

Maersk Oil Qatar (MOQ) has announced the appointment of Sheikh Jassim Bin Saud Al Thani as its new Head of Qatarization.
 
Lewis Affleck, Managing Director of Maersk Oil Qatar (MOQ) said, "At Maersk Oil Qatar we are committed to recruiting and developing talented Qatari nationals. Working closely with his colleagues in MOQ's Human Resources (HR) department, and with leaders from throughout the MOQ business, Sheikh Jassim will lead MOQ's comprehensive Qatarization programme. This is an extremely important role, and we welcome Sheikh Jassim to his new position."    
 
Sheikh Jassim joined MOQ in 2011, and has worked as a senior project manager in Information Technology, Finance and Business Support (FBS). Most recently he led delivery of a fibre optic cable sharing project with Qatargas and has supported the review and development of MOQ's 2013 'Strategic Qatarization Plan', which sets out MOQ's Qatarization goals and ambitions for the next 5-years.
 
Sheikh Jassim holds a bachelor degree in Information Technology from Qatar University and is currently studying his master's degree in business management at HEC Paris.
 
Sheikh Faisal Bin Fahad Al Thani, MOQ's Deputy Managing Director said, "We are delighted by the appointment of Sheikh Jassim to the position of Head of Qatarization at MOQ. Since joining MOQ, Sheikh Jassim has demonstrated his hard work, commitment, and an eagerness to learn, develop and take on leadership responsibilities - we believe that he is well-placed to drive the continued implementation of our ambitious Qatarization goals".
 
Speaking about his new assignment, Sheikh Jassim said, "At Maersk Oil Qatar we already employ some 180 Qataris. In accordance with the Strategic Qatarization Strategy, and in accordance with the directives set out for the Energy and Industry Sectors led by His Excellency Dr Mohammed Bin Saleh Al Sada, Minister of Energy and Industry and Chairman and Managing Director of Qatar Petroleum, we intend to increase this number further, while also focusing on the development of Qatari talent into leadership positions. This is an exciting opportunity and one that I am ready to embrace."
 Sheikh Jassim takes over from Fawzi Al-Ajji who has decided to pursue new challenges within MOQ after 5-year's as MOQ's Head of Qatarization.

Fawzi's significant contribution to MOQ's Qatarization efforts are recognised and appreciated by the management of Maersk Oil. Under his leadership a number of important initiatives have been introduced to help attract, develop and retain Qatari colleagues - including the QUDRA rotation program for female engineers, an overseas attachment programme, further studies for MOQ employees, a Qatari retention bonus, an annual Qatarization gathering, reduced working hours for female employees and the Qatari Graduate Programme.

-Ends-

About Maersk Oil's national development strategy
MOQ initiatives include the Qatari Unique Development and Rotational Assignment (QUDRA) and Qatari Graduate Development Programme (QGDP). QUDRA is a graduate development programme for Qatari females within MOQ. It is intended to produce qualified employees who will have covered the whole value chain of Maersk Oil Qatar. So far the young Qatari female engineers have indicated that the programme is very beneficial to their career success. While, QGDP is a structured programme tailor-made for fresh Qatari graduates who lack work experience or have a maximum of two-years of work experience, and at the same time have the potential to move quickly up the career ladder and assume key positions.

Maersk Oil Qatar has a very good record in Qatarization designed in accordance with the Strategic Qatarization Strategy, and in accordance with the directives set out for the Energy & Industry Sectors led by His Excellency Dr Mohammed Bin Saleh Al-Sada, Minister of Energy & Industry and Chairman & Managing Director of Qatar Petroleum.

About Maersk Oil
Maersk Oil is an international oil and gas company with operated production of about 625,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. We produce oil and gas from Denmark, the UK, Qatar, Kazakhstan, Brazil and Algeria. Exploration activities are ongoing in Angola, Norway, the US Gulf of Mexico, Greenland and in producing countries. Turning marginal and challenging fields into commercial successes has been the cornerstone of Maersk Oil's business since 1962. Maersk Oil focuses on pioneering technologies and harnessing talent to continue to operate safely and successfully, creating value for partners and host governments. Maersk Oil and its subsidiary companies are part of the Danish A.P. Moller - Maersk Group. For more information about Maersk Oil, please visit our website at www.maerskoil.com.

About Maersk Oil Qatar
In 1992, Maersk Oil was granted the exploration and production rights to the Al Shaheen field. The field was deemed uneconomical by others, but Maersk Oil saw potential to turn this tight reservoir into a commercial success. First oil was produced within just two years and, together with Qatar Petroleum, Maersk Oil has now produced over one billion barrels of oil. The latest USD 6 billion field development plan is considered one of the world's most complex offshore projects and included the installation of 15 new platforms, 300 km pipelines and 160 new wells. The development was delivered on time and budget.

Media contacts (Qatar)
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© Press Release 2013