Best named to head Unocal subsidiary

Petroleum News Alaska Staff

Unocal Corp. said Dec. 17 that it has named A.J. “Tony” Best, 53, as president and chief executive officer of its Pure Resources Inc. subsidiary.

This position was created after El Segundo, Calif.-based Unocal acquired of all of Pure Resources’ outstanding common stock in November.

Best, who has a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M University, has spent the last 23 years in the energy industry. Prior to his present consulting practice, he served as president of ARCO Latin America, based in Caracas, Venezuela. During his career with ARCO, he held several other key positions within the company, including president of ARCO Permian, vice president of external affairs for ARCO Alaska and Prudhoe Bay field manager.

Best’s responsibilities will include all of Unocal’s Permian and San Juan producing assets as well as some onshore assets currently managed under Unocal’s Gulf Region USA business unit. In addition, Best will oversee the management of Pure’s 6 million gross fee mineral acres position.