The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine at today's meeting approved the appointment of Oleg Tolmachev as acting CEO of Ukrgasvydobuvannya JSC.

Before his appointment, Oleg Tolmachev worked as Director of the Exploration and Production Division of Naftogaz Group, where he was responsible for Strategic Projects, and for attracting partners and investors. Before that, he worked as a Deputy Director of the Division in the field of hydrocarbon production.

Oleg Tolmachev has over 20 years of experience in hydrocarbon production in North America. He has held senior positions at such gas-producing companies in the United States as BP America, Chesapeake Energy, EnCana Oil & Gas USA, Eclipse Resources, and Montage Resources. In particular, he led high-tech projects aimed at the development of large fields in North America with gas and gas condensate deposits both in conventional reservoirs (East Texas Deep Bossier) and tight rocks (Utica, Haynesville, Barnett, Marcellus, Granite Wash). His responsibilities included improving the economic efficiency of projects, forming, and managing multifunctional teams (geology, development, drilling, production, treatment, and processing of hydrocarbons). He graduated from the University of Oklahoma, USA, with a degree in Petroleum Engineering.

"Oleg Tolmachev is a highly qualified specialist with extensive experience in the oil and gas sector. He is well versed in world experience, but at the same time worked in Ukraine and understands the challenges that we face today," said Oleksiy Chernyshov, Chair of the Naftogaz Group.

"It is extremely important for Ukraine not only to continue producing domestic gas but also to increase production. This is the main task that I and the entire team face today, and we will make every effort to fulfil it," Oleg Tolmachev summed up.