John Abbott

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Royal Dutch Shell Plc., Europe’s largest oil company, recently named John Abbott as refining director to succeed Ben van Beurden, who will become CEO in January. Abbott, a 30-year industry veteran, has been running about 30 refineries and petrochemical plants at the company, according to Shell’s statement. He left his previous post of executive vice president for manufacturing on Oct. 1 and also joined Shell’s executive committee. For more information, visit www.shell.com or call +31 70 377 9111.