LOS ANGELES, April 16, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:OXY) announced today that William E. Albrecht has been named President, Oxy Oil and Gas, USA reporting to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Ray R. Irani.
Commenting on Mr. Albrecht's promotion, Dr. Irani said "Bill's primary focus will be to optimize the operational effectiveness and business returns of our significant U.S. holdings and assets. This assignment will take advantage of Bill's extensive oil industry experience."
Replacing and reporting to Mr. Albrecht as Oxy Oil and Gas Vice President, California Operations, is Todd A. Stevens. Mr. Stevens has been instrumental in leading Occidental's mergers and acquisitions team and will continue as Occidental Petroleum Corporation Vice President, Acquisitions and Corporate Finance, until a replacement has been named. Prior to his current assignment, Mr. Stevens held a series of progressively significant finance roles during his 13-year Oxy career.
Both Mr. Albrecht and Mr. Stevens are United States Military Academy graduates, with Masters degrees from the University of Southern California.
About Oxy
Occidental Petroleum Corporation is an international oil and gas exploration and production company with operations in the United States, Middle East/North Africa and Latin America regions. Oxy is the fourth largest U.S. oil and gas company, based on equity market capitalization. Oxy's wholly owned subsidiary, OxyChem, manufactures and markets chlor-alkali products and vinyls. Occidental is committed to safeguarding the environment, protecting the safety and health of employees and neighboring communities and upholding high standards of social responsibility in all of the company's worldwide operations.