Nostrum Oil & Gas, an independent oil and gas company engaging in the production, development and exploration of oil and gas in the pre-Caspian Basin, today announces the appointment of Arfan Khan as Chief Executive Officer of the Group effective 26 January 2021. Mr Khan is assuming the role of chief executive of the Group from Executive Chairman Atul Gupta, who had previously performed such duties on an interim basis. Mr Gupta will now revert to his previous role as Executive Chairman. Mr Khan will also join the Board of Directors of the Company at the same time.

Mr Khan has over 30 years' experience in the oil and gas industry. A qualified petroleum engineer, he has held various operational and senior management positions in the industry throughout his career, including positions with ExxonMobil in the US and roles at Shell, Enterprise Oil and Maersk Oil. Mr Khan also has strong emerging markets experience, having held operational roles in Nigeria, Angola and Kazakhstan, where he acted as Kashagan Well, Reservoir and Facilities Manager whilst with Shell. As Chief Operating Officer, Executive Director and Special Advisor to the Chairman and CEO at Amni International Petroleum from 2014 to 2019, Arfan oversaw strategic growth plans and fundraising programmes. Most recently he has served as President and Managing Director of Stratum Energy Group.

Atul Gupta, Chairman of the Board, commented:
"I would like to welcome Arfan to the Group on behalf of the Board and management of Nostrum. Arfan has the breadth and depth of experience and operational expertise to lead us through this next stage as we focus on delivering the bond restructuring for all our stakeholders, whilst also continuing to pursue opportunities to commercialise our world class infrastructure."

KeyFacts Energy: Nostrum Oil & Gas Kazakhstan country profile