Former BHP president to chair Nido

The former president of BHP Billiton's Australia Asia gas division, William Bloking, has been appointed as chairman of Como-based Nido Petroleum, taking over from David Whitby.

The announcement is below:

Mr David Whitby today announced he would be stepping down as Chairman of Nido Petroleum Limited (ASX:NDO) at the Company's Annual General Meeting in May 2009 and will continue to serve as a Non-Executive Director.

The Nido Board is pleased to advise that Mr William Bloking has been appointed as Chairman and will take up the position at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting on 15 May 2009.

Mr William (Bill) Bloking is the former President of Australia Asia Gas of BHP Billiton Petroleum. He is a leading energy expert with more than 34 years of experience in the oil, gas, and LNG business. He has held senior executive positions in Australia, Asia, South America, Europe, and the USA with both ExxonMobil and BHP Billiton. He is currently Chairman of KAL Energy, Inc., Norwest Energy NL, the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority, and Cullen Wines (Australia). He is also a Director of the John Holland Group, the Lions Eye Institute, and the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.

Mr Bloking said, "I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dave for his incredible contribution to Nido. He joined the Company in 2004 and has helped transform it initially as its Managing Director and then as Chairman. He has led the Company through a time of significant growth, has overseen the Company's first producing asset, Galoc, come on-stream and two discoveries made at Tindalo and Yakal, which are soon to lead to Nido's first operated development and production. Dave's steady 'hand on the tiller' has ensured that Nido is well positioned to meet the additional challenges which come with growth and the development of Nido into a truly diversified production company."

Thanking Mr Bloking for his kind words, Mr Whitby said, "Bill Bloking joined the Nido Board on 6 February 2008 and his contribution to the Company since that time has been substantial. I am certain that he is the right man for the job and that his extensive oil industry and corporate governance experience, combined with the other talented members of our world class Board, will provide strong and innovative leadership for the Company."

"I feel extremely fortunate to have led the Company in different roles through a period of such change and growth and despite my own personal desire to continue, I believe it is an appropriate time for the Company to introduce an independent Chairman to lead the Board as Nido moves forward into the next phase of its journey. I am confident that Nido is well placed to meet its strategic objectives of generating a second revenue stream from these discoveries and farming out portions of its exploration acreage and I look forward to continuing to support and guide Nido as a Non-Executive board member," he added.