* Downstream business seen as key to Shell's energy
transition
* Vigeveno previously led Shell's global commercial business
(Adds details, changes headline)
By Ron Bousso
LONDON, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Royal Dutch Shell has
appointed Huibert Vigeveno to head its downstream businesss, the
refining, trading and marketing operations that are to become a
key pillar for the oil and gas company as it transitions to
cleaner energy.
Vigeveno, 50, previously led Shell's global commercial
business and rose to prominence when he oversaw the integration
of smaller rival BG Group after its $53 billion acquisition in
2016.
His appointment comes several months after Wael Sawan
replaced Andy Brown as head of the oil and gas production, or
upstream, division.
Both Vigeveno and Sawan, together with Maarten Wetselaar who
heads the Integrated gas division, are seen by many in the
company as future candidates to eventually succeed Chief
Executive Ben van Beurden.
Dutch national Vigeveno will replace John Abbott, who has
headed the downstream division since 2013. Abbot led Shell's
restructuring of refining and chemicals operations, which
included selling refineries and stakes in joint ventures in
Saudi Arabia and the United States to focus on hubs in the
Netherlands, Singapore and the U.S. Gulf Coast.
Shell has also expanded its retail business in recent years.
Together with its chemicals operations, the Anglo-Dutch
company hopes downstream will become a major source of revenue
as demand for plastics grows and consumers switch to
higher-quality fuels and electric vehicles.
Vigeveno will assume his new role, and will also join
Shell's executive committee, on Jan. 1.
(Reporting by Ron Bousso; Editing by David Goodman and Mark
Potter)