James Dupree has been named by BP plc to take over the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) division, which is based in Houston. BP is the largest leaseholder in the GOM. Dupree, who was named senior vice president of the offshore U.S. region, replaces Neil Shaw, who was tapped to lead the company’s Centralized Developments Organization, a global exploration and production unit. Dupree recently was in charge of BP’s oil and gas business in Russia; he previously was in charge of activities in Kazakhstan. Dupree was based in Houston from 2000 to 2002 when he helmed the company’s GOM deepwater production, drilling, exploration and facility fabrication unit.

Forest Oil Corp., based in Denver, has promoted Michael N. Kennedy to CFO to replace David H. Keyte, who resigned. Kennedy had been Forest’s vice president of finance and treasurer. Victor A. Wind was promoted to senior vice president, chief accounting officer and corporate controller. Patrick J. Redmond was named vice president for corporate planning and investor relations, while Daniel R. Richardson has been promoted to treasurer.

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