* Downstream business seen as key to Shell's energy
transition
* Vigeveno previously led Shell's global commercial business
By Ron Bousso
LONDON, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Royal Dutch Shell has
appointed Huibert Vigeveno to head its downstream businesss, the
refining 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 are seen by many in the company as
future candidates as eventual successor to 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 the 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 the 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)
