Saudi Named Aramco Chief (original) (raw)
Business|Saudi Named Aramco Chief
https://www.nytimes.com/1988/04/07/business/saudi-named-aramco-chief.html
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- April 7, 1988
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April 7, 1988
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Section D, Page
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The Saudi Arabian oil minister, Hisham Nazer, has replaced an American to become the first Saudi chairman of the Arabian American Oil Company, his nation's major oil-producing company.
Mr. Nazer took over from John J. Kelberer, who headed Aramco for 10 years. Aramco's president, Ali I. Naimi, will succeed Mr. Kelberer as chief executive.
The appointment of Mr. Nazer, announced late Tuesday in Houston, reflects the shrinking role in Aramco of the four big American oil companies that were formerly partners in the venture: the Exxon Corporation, Texaco Inc., the Chevron Corporation and the Mobil Corporation.
In the 1970's the Saudi Government began a gradual process of taking control of Aramco, which is now 100 percent Saudi-owned. The four companies' role is now largely confined to providing technical assistance to the Saudis.
Mr. Kelberer will remain on the board of directors as vice chairman, although he has effectively retired. He has had several major surgical operations in recent years and is understood to have been seeking retirement since his 60th birthday two years ago. He has worked in Saudi Arabia for more than 37 years.
Only two Americans are now left in operating positions equal to vice president or higher at Aramco headquarters in Dhahran. Aramco has about 42,000 employees in Saudi Arabia, but only about 2,500 are Americans.
The Saudi Government appointed Mr. Nazer as oil minister in November 1986, replacing Sheik Ahmed Zaki Yamani.
Mr. Nazer is studying a possible reorganization of the kingdom's oil industry, according to American sources. The new structure, which is expected to include the creation of a Saudi national oil company, could be built on either Aramco or Petromin, the sources said. Petromin is the marketing company for Saudi petroleum products.
According to the Government of Mexico Mr. Nazer will visit Mexico tomorrow to discuss the international market situation. A statement from the Energy and Mines Department said Mr. Nazer will meet with President Miquel de la Madrid after holding discussions with the Energy and Mines Department and Pemex, the state oil monopoly.
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