Kudryashov,who worked in Rosneft and the energy ministry before his nomination to Zarubezhneftin July 2012, is widely considered to be backed by powerful Rosneft presidentIgor Sechin.
Earlier,Kudryashov was expected to return to Rosneft to oversee a discussed merger ofZarubezhneft with Rosneft to give the Sechin-managed company an additionalexposure to offshore developments outside the country where Zarubezhneft is ashareholder.
However, Rosneftis currently busy preparing for its deals with British major BP and Russia’sAlfa Group and Access/Renova Industries to buy their stakes in the TNK-BP jointventure.
