ConocoPhillips CEO Lance to Step Down After 14 Years; Successor Announced
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**ConocoPhillips Announces Leadership Transition: Andy O’Brien Named CEO, Ryan Lance to Step Down**
ConocoPhillips has announced a major leadership transition, appointing Andy O’Brien as its new president and chief executive officer, effective September 1. He succeeds longtime CEO Ryan Lance, who is retiring from the role and will transition to the position of executive chair.
In tandem with this change, Konnie Haynes-Welsh has been promoted to senior vice president and chief financial officer, taking over the CFO duties previously held by O’Brien.
This transition concludes Lance’s 14-year tenure at the helm of ConocoPhillips. During his leadership, Lance reshaped the organization into a premier independent upstream company, driving growth through strategic acquisitions, portfolio refinement, and a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
“On behalf of the board, I want to thank Ryan for 14 years of exceptional leadership and more than 40 years of dedicated service to the company,” said Robert Niblock, Lead Independent Director. “He set the course for the newly formed independent ConocoPhillips in 2012, and during his tenure, the company became a recognized leader within the sector as a global upstream company.”
O’Brien, who currently serves as executive vice president of Strategy and Commercial as well as CFO, began his career with Conoco in 1997. Since joining the executive leadership team in 2022, his responsibilities have spanned the company’s Alaska and international operations, commercial activities, LNG, finance, corporate strategy, investor relations, and mergers and acquisitions.
“I’m honored to lead ConocoPhillips and grateful to Ryan for the strong foundation he has built,” O’Brien stated. “My focus will be to build on that momentum, continue raising the bar and unlock even greater value across our company.”
Lance expressed strong confidence in his successor, noting that ConocoPhillips enters this next phase with “an exceptional portfolio and a world-class team.” He added that O’Brien is well-positioned to maintain the company’s disciplined strategy and continue delivering long-term value to shareholders.
Haynes-Welsh, the incoming CFO, joined ConocoPhillips in 2012. She has built a diverse leadership background within the company, holding key roles in finance, treasury, corporate strategy, and the Lower 48 business unit. She currently serves as vice president, Finance and Controller.
All leadership appointments are scheduled to take effect on September 1.
