UPDATE 1-Citgo Chief Rodriguez to become Ruhr Oel director
(Adds background, details)
LA JOLLA, California, May 20 (Reuters) - Citgo Petroleum Corp. President and Chief Executive Felix Rodriguez said on Sunday he had been tapped to become director-general of Ruhr Oel, a German joint venture between Citgo's parent PDVSA and BP Plc. (BP.L)
Rodriguez said he expects to leave Citgo's Houston headquarters in about three weeks after working with Citgo Board Chairman Alejandro Granado, who has been slated to replace him.
During an interview at a Latin American energy conference in La Jolla, Rodriguez reiterated that Citgo's three U.S. motor fuels refineries were not for sale.
"At the moment Citgo it not selling other than what's been announced," he said.
The U.S. refining and marketing subsidiary of Venezuelan national oil company Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. has two asphalt plants on the auction block.
Rodriguez said the two asphalt plants should be sold in two to three months. No bids have been made on the plants, yet. Currently would-be buyers are looking over the plants in Georgia and New Jersey thoroughly.
His departure after two years at the head of Citgo is part of a series of moves by PDVSA and not the result of a falling-out with Venezuelan Energy Minster Rafael Ramirez.
"It's good for me," Rodriguez said of his new job. "It's a promotion."
Ruhr Oel, a 50-50 joint venture between PDVSA and BP, has ownership interests in five refineries. PDVSA has about 243,000 barrels per day (bpd) of European refining capacity through the partnership.
Rodriguez said he hopes he is seen as a chief executive who emphasizes a commitment to safety, the environment, helping those less fortunate and better aligning Citgo with PDVSA's needs.
