Energy giant BP has appointed its first Omani country manager, the London-headquartered firm said today.

Yousuf Al-Ojaili has been appointed BP Oman’s head of country and president, according to a statement.

Ojaili was previously chief executive of the Oman Gas Company, a subsidiary of the Oman Oil Company. Previous positions in his 27 years working in the industry include roles at Petroleum Development Oman and Brunei Shell Petroleum.

A key responsibility will be managing BP’s contract with the Sultanate of Oman for the appraisal and development of the Khazzan and Makarem gas fields in Block 61, which was signed in January 2007. The fields have gas reserves in place ranging from 70 to 130 trillion cubic feet.

“Khazzan is a project of strategic importance to Oman which will supply about one third of the country’s gas. I look forward to working with the Omani government and Oman Oil to deliver this vital project,” Yousuf Al-Ojaili said in a statement.

Dave Campbell will continue as vice president for operations and chief operating officer for BP Oman. National citizens make up around 70% of BP Oman’s workforce, the company said.