Alexander Skripka became chief commercial officer of Tethys Petroleum Ltd., the company said July 13.

As chief commercial officer, Skripka will handle commercial activities including gas sales, existing and new contract or license negotiations, and negotiations on financing, divestments and acquisitions.

Skripka is a director and shareholder of Olisol Petroleum Ltd., which owns 15.8% of the ordinary shares of Tethys, which explores and produces oil and gas in Central Asia and the Caspian region.

Previously, Skripka worked for Kazakhstan’s national company, known as KazTransGas JSC, and also worked at several other Kazakhstan-based oil and gas companies.

Skripka has worked with Tethys management for more than six months in all aspects of the company, including gas sales, license extension, debt restructuring and obtaining a new loan facility from a Kazakh bank.