MDU Resources Group Inc. has announced that Pat O’Bryan will become CEO of its Fidelity Exploration & Production Co., effective March 1. He also will retain his current position as president.

He succeeds J. Kent Wells, who has announced that he will retire on February 28 from his positions as Fidelity CEO and vice chairman of the corporation. Wells has also indicated that he will resign as a director of MDU Resources at the same time.

MDU Resources announced last November that it plans to market Fidelity, but has delayed that process in light of the recent volatility of oil prices.

O'Bryan became president of Fidelity in July of 2014, consistent with MDU Resources' long-term succession planning process. He joined the company in 2011 as vice president of drilling and completions. He has 26 years of experience in the oil and gas business, including executive and asset general management, drilling engineering and technology management, production and reservoir engineering supervision. Prior to joining Fidelity, O'Bryan held vice president positions in drilling and completions and productions at BP. He has a Ph.D. in Petroleum Engineering from Louisiana State University.