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Total Oil CEO Christophe de Margerie Killed in Moscow Plane Crash

Chief executive of the French giant oil company Total, Christophe de Margerie, was killed in a plane accident Monday night. Believed to be one of the most powerful person in the energy industry, de Margerie’s business jet collided with a snowplow just after 10 p.m. (Paris time) at Vnukovo Airport in Moscow. Four people were found dead at the scene of the accident, including three crew members.
Christophe de Margerie 1 photo
Photo: www.bellenews.com
The 63-year old top businessman was returning to Paris after an important meeting with the Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev at his dacha near Moscow following a business leaders’ meeting in Gorki. Reports are the two men had been discussing investments in Russia amid the 2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine and the resulting Western sanctions on the country.

Total has confirmed the tragic news hours later: “Total confirms with deep regret and great sadness that Chairman and CEO Christophe de Margerie died just after 10 p.m. (Paris time) on October 20 in a private plane crash at Vnujovo Airport in Moscow, following a collision with a snow removal machine... The thoughts of the management and employees of the Group go out to Christophe de Margerie’s wife, children and loved ones as well as to the families of the three other victims.”

Leader of the fourth-largest giant of the Western oil companies

Not only was de Margerie a famous corporate leader, but he also led the fourth-largest of the Western multinational major oil companies by market capitalization, after Exxon, Royal Dutch Shell and Chevron. Total is also the second-largest company in France after the drug maker Sanofi.

With recent tensions between Western countries and Russia on the Ukraine conflict, Christophe de Margerie was also known as a defender of Russia’s and its energy policies. This summer, the businessman said Europe should stop thinking about cutting its dependence on Russian gas and focus instead on making those deliveries safer. The statement was also backed by the Total’s plans in the country, considering it is one of the major oil companies most exposed to Russia.

According to The Guardian, Total is one of the top foreign investors in Russia but its future there grew cloudy after the 17th of July downing of a Malaysian passenger airliner over Ukrainian territory held by pro-Russian rebels.

The Elysee Palace: Mr. Chirtophe de Margerie devoted his life to the French industry

The Elysee Palace sent President Francois Hollande’s deepest regrets, in a statement: “Mr. Christophe de Margerie had devoted his life to the French industry and the development of the Total Group. He defended the talent and the success of the French technology abroad. He was also a generous philanthropist and professional staff who assisted in important cultural initiatives.

Even though he never was a very political person, de Margerie has accompanied president Hollande on state visits to Brazil, the United Arab Emirates and Poland, among other ventures.

Ongoing investigation

As to the actual reason the accident happened, little is known as the investigation is still ongoing. According to an aviation expert quoted by the Russian news agency RIA Novosti, it is possible that the Dassault pilot had tried to take off early to avoid the snowplow on the runway but snared the vehicle’s roof with the airplane’s wheels and crashed.

Even though the snowplow’s driver states he is not even allowed to drink because of medical issues (amid obvious suspicions), he has has been in detention ever since the accident happened. He and air traffic controllers will be tested for alcohol and drugs, according to the Russian Investigative Committee, which is leading the investigation.

A life spent in the industry

De Margerie joined the Total Group after graduating from the ESCP Europe business school in Paris in 1974. He started working for Total in the Finance Department and Exploration & Production division. He became President of Total Middle East in 1995 before joining the group’s Executive Committee as President of the Exploration & Production division in May 1999.

In January 2002 he became President of the Exploration & Production division of Total. He was appointed a member of the Board of Directors on 12 May 2006 and became CEO of on 14 February 2007. Since 21 May 2010, he served as a Chairman of the company.

We will not have to wait and see how Total reorganizes its top management, as the company obviously has to move on with its strategic plans.
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