Mainboard-listed RH Petrogas, which is in the business of exploration, development and production of oil and gas resources, announced that the board has appointed Dr Tan Jee-Theng Tony, former CEO and director of Orchard Energy, as an executive director of the company and the new group CEO from June 17.

Dr Tan replaces incumbent CEO Foo Sac Phoon who will remain as an Executive Director of the board and his position re-designated as Chief Executive Officer of the electronics division of the group.

Dr Tan will be responsible for overall management of the group and the development of the group’s oil and gas exploration and production business.

Before joining RHP, Dr Tan was the CEO and director of Orchard Energy. His extensive geological knowledge, coupled with his management experience and excellent relationship with Asean national oil companies, gave him the edge and commanding position to lead RHP. Dr Tan has over 30 years of international oil and gas exploration and production, and merger and acquisition experience, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.

Dr Tan was previously with Singapore Petroleum Company (SPC) as senior vice-president, exploration and production since August 2000 and was a director of several SPC subsidiaries. Prior to SPC, he managed Gaffney, Cline & Associates — Asia Pacific office in Singapore, an international petroleum and management consultancy firm.

He also worked in a multinational company in Calgary and Houston for 16 years where he held several key management positions and was involved in international exploration and production activities in Asia Pacific, China, North Sea, Canada and Trinidad.