Offshore Oil Engineering Company (COOEC) executive vice president Lin Yaosheng has emerged as the strongest candidate to replace Jin Xiaojian as the Chinese contractor's president.

It is also understood that Jin will soon replace Lv Bo as the company's chairman, having spent just over one year at the helm of COOEC.

Born in 1959, Jin began his 35-year offshore oil career with an internship in the drilling department at the Tianjin division of China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), which covered exploration and development in Bohai Bay. He also worked for CNOOC subsidiary Petrotech and as vice president of China Oilfield Service Ltd (COSL) among other roles.

Lin was born in 1961 and graduated from Jianghan Petroleum Institute majoring in drilling engineering.

An offshore veteran, he has worked with CNOOC since graduation in 1984, holding various positions.

Lin was also the project manager for the construction of China’s first deep-water semi-submersible drilling rig, Hai Yang Shi You 981, which was built at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding.

In 2012, he was promoted to deputy general manager of CNOOC Engineering & Construction Department (ECD), which looks after the budget and facilities for CNOOC’s domestic and overseas onshore and offshore projects.

Lin was transferred to become COOEC’s executive vice president in 2016, responsible for procurement operations.

Company watchers said no formal appointments have been yet made for Jin and Lin’s new positions, but it seems the die is cast over the potential promotions.

There was also a change announced at COSL as chief executive and president Qi Meisheng has replaced Lv Bo as the company's chairman, while continuing to maintain his current roles.

Meanwhile, sources told Upstream that Wang Tao, generation manager of CNOOC ECD, has tendered his resignation to pursue other interests in the industry.

Wang is expected to leave his post this month but it is unclear who will replace him.

Other personnel changes at COOEC saw Gu Hong, former president of the contractor's international business, being promoted to assistant to COOEC's president. Gu was replaced by COOEC vice president Zhang Qing.

In addition, PetroChina president Wang Dongjin has resigned to become a CNOOC vice president, replacing Wu Guangqi, who is retiring. Wang, aged 55, has more than 30 years of experience working for PetroChina.

Weekly

Executives switch roles as COOEC makes changes