Anders Opedal has been appointed executive vice president for Statoil, and he has taken on a new position as COO in the corporate executive committee effective April 1, the company said in a news release.

Opedal will be responsible the corporate improvement programs and for driving operational efficiency across Statoil’s business areas.

Having joined Statoil in 1997 as a petroleum engineer in the Statfjord operations, Opedal will move from the position of senior vice president of projects in Statoil’s technology, projects and drilling business area. Previously, he has held a range of positions in drilling and well, procurement and projects, the release said.