CALGARY, Alberta – In a surprise move company officials said was not related to recent takeover speculation, Husky Energy Inc.’s veteran chief operating officer said he plans to resign his post effective Jan. 1, 2002.
According to a Reuters report, Jamie Blair, who has been prominent as the oil producer, refiner and gasoline marketer's public face to analysts and investors since it went public in late 2000, said he is leaving the company to pursue “new horizons.”
The company said it had yet to find a replacement for Blair, 46, who is in charge exploration and production operations and has been with Husky for more than two decades.
“Jamie’s determination to get the job done and his ability with people has been important to Husky's success,” Husky CEO John Lau said in a statement. “I wish Jamie the best in his future endeavors.”
Several companies have been rumored as having an interest in Husky, chief among them France's TotalFinaElf and domestic rival Canadian Natural Resources Ltd., according to published reports, though speculation has died down in recent weeks along with the slide in world oil prices.
Husky spokeswoman Sydney Sharpe said she would not comment on the state of any talks, but stressed Blair's resignation was unrelated to the buyout rumors.
Lau confirmed in October that Husky had been talking to more than one company. But he also said talks had been put on hold amid uncertainty following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
