(SRI) – Caspi Meruerty Operating Company B.V. (CMOC) has named Aslan Shapabayev the venture’s director general, the Trend news agency reported on Wednesday, citing the press office of Kazakh oil company KazMunaiTeniz.

CMOC is the operator of the Zhemchuzhina (Pearls) Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) to explore and develop the Zhemchuzhina oil prospect in the Kazakh sector of the Caspian Sea. Shell EP Offshore Ventures Limited, a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell, holds a 40% stake in the venture, KazMunaiTeniz, a subsidiary of the Kazakh national oil and gas company KazMunaiGas, has a 40% stake, and Oman Pearls Company Limited controls the remaining 20%.

Shapabayev, a representative of the project’s Kazakh partner, KazMunaiTeniz, has replaced Marcus Antonini, who has transferred to a new position within Royal Dutch Shell. Prior to his appointment, Shapabayev served as deputy director general of CMOC.