PARIS -- French oil giant Total SA says it has named Patrick Pouyanne as chief executive after the shocking death in a plane accident of former CEO Christophe de Margerie on Monday.
Total's board of directors chose Pouyanne, 51, at a board meeting Wednesday.
Prior to his nomination Pouyanne led Total's refining and chemicals division since 2012. Pouyanne has been with Total since 1997, starting off as head of exploration and production in Angola.
Thierry Desmarest, Total's chief executive from 1995 to 2007 and honorary president of the board of directors since 2010, was named chairman of Total's board until the end of 2015. Total said in a statement that Pouyanne will combine the roles of CEO and board president after that.
