Apache Corp. reported that Jon W. Sauer has been promoted to vice president-tax. Sauer joined Apache as manager of tax in August 1992. He was promoted to director in 1997. Prior to joining Apache, he was tax manager at Swift Energy Co.

The board of directors of Phillips Petroleum Co. recently elected E.W. (Beth) Heaton to the position of general auditor. Heaton replaces Gary D. Russell, who has been named business services manager for worldwide production and operations. Heaton, 47, previously was finance manager for the Americas division of the company’s exploration and production business.

Semco Energy Inc. announced the appointment of Sebastian Coppola as president and COO of Semco Energy Ventures, the company’s unregulated subsidiary that owns intrastate gas transmission pipelines, underground gas storage and other non-regulated assets in Michigan. The appointment is effective immediately. Coppola also will remain senior vice president and CFO of Semco Energy Inc. He joined the company in January 1999 after almost 24 years with MCN Energy where he held a variety of management positions, including senior vice president of finance.

Seitel, Inc., a marketer of proprietary seismic information/technology to more than 400 petroleum companies, announced that Kevin Fiur has been named executive vice president and COO. Fiur joined Seitel, Inc. in November 1999 as general counsel. He was formerly associated with Baker Botts L.L.P. and Bristow, Hackerman, Wilson & Peterson, P.C., both in Houston.

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