OREANDA-NEWS. August 29, 2011. The Board of Directors of OJSC Saratovnefteproduct (part of the TNK-BP group) has appointed Igor Molchanov as the company’s General Director. Molchanov previously held the position of Director, Oil Depots and Transport Department, in the Assets Division of the South Performance Unit under TNK-BP Marketing, reported the press-centre of TNK-BP.

“I see my main priorities in the new job as implementing the company’s strategy to boost the profitability of its wholesale and retail sales, accessing new regional markets, improving the standard of service, and promoting new products”, said Molchanov.

Saratovnefteproduct is also pursuing a number of investment projects to renovate and improve environmental and industrial safety standards at its existing oil depots.

Igor Molchanov has been employed by TNK-BP since the company was founded, working his way up from entry-level positions to middle level management. Before moving to Saratovnefteproduct he was head of the Commercial Department at CJSC TNK South Management in the city of Rostov.

Information for the Media:
Saratovnefteproduct is the oldest oil industry enterprise in Saratov region. The Uleshov and Uvek oil depots were built in 1882 and 1894 respectively, and the company was formally incorporated in 1918.

It markets gasoline, diesel and lubricants via a network of 91 service stations and 13 oil depots and tank farms in the city of Saratov and districts across the region. In the first half of 2011 it sold over 800,000 tonnes of fuel.

The TNK retail network development strategy aims to boost fuel sales by re-branding high-potential service stations. The re-branding project in Saratovnefteproduct is now complete, with over 70 stations having switched to the TNK brand. In May of this year, the entire TNK retail site network in Saratov region began selling high-quality Pulsar 95 fuel, which greatly reduces the vehicle’s environmental impact and extends the engine’s service life.

Saratovnefteproduct’s most important social task is to provide fuel to agricultural producers during the sowing and harvesting campaigns. TNK-BP’s obligation to supply cut-price diesel fuel (at a discount of up to 10% on the commercial price) is laid down in its annual agreements on mutual cooperation with the Government of Saratov region. During the 1st half of 2011, 57,000 tonnes of diesel was supplied at discount prices, representing savings of over 386 million rubles for farms in Saratov region.