Medvedev promoted
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has promoted Dmitry Medvedev, his chief of staff who is also Gazprom’s chairman, to the high-profile post of first deputy prime minister, putting him in a strong position to be presidential successor in 2008.

Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin predicted that the government reshuffle would help the reform of gas monopoly Gazprom. Kudrin said Medvedev would keep his post as chairman of Gazprom. “The government’s role in Gazprom in terms of its reform and restructuring will increase,” Kudrin was said.
Gazprom has been locked in a bitter power struggle with state oil giant Rosneft for control of Russia’s energy riches. Rosneft is chaired by Igor Sechin, deputy head of Putin’s administration and a leading member of the circle of ex-KGB men known as siloviki. Analysts say Medvedev’s Gazprom connection is key for Kremlin politics and increasingly link the two. Whoever gets to control Gazprom controls Russia, and vice-versa, they say.

Chairman appointed
Anadarko Petroleum Corp has named president and chief executive officer Jim Hackett to chairman of the board, replacing long-time company leader Robert Allison Jr.
Allison will remain on the board with the honorary title of chairman emeritus. The move will be effective from January 1.
Hackett, 51, was named president and CEO in December 2003. He previously worked as president and CEO of Ocean Energy and oversaw its takeover by Devon Energy.