OREANDA-NEWS.  September 04, 2012. Marathon Oil Corporation (NYSE: MRO) announced today that Gretchen H. Watkins, currently vice president of International Production Operations (IPO), has been appointed vice president of North America Production Operations (NAPO). Watkins will succeed Jim Bowzer who has elected to retire, after 30 years of service with Marathon Oil. Mitch Little, currently resident manager of Marathon's Norway business, has been named vice president of International Production Operations, reported the press-centre of Marathon Oil.

"We are grateful to Jim for the extraordinary contribution he has made to the company during his career. Jim has been a testament to Marathon's culture and drive for operational excellence," said Dave Roberts, Marathon Oil executive vice president and chief operating officer.

"We have great confidence in Gretchen and Mitch as they step into their new roles. Gretchen has improved our international business markedly in the past three years. Her focus on metrics and accountability around safety and the environment, improved reliability and clear line of sight of the economic drivers of the business have helped make IPO the engine of the corporation.

"Mitch has done a great job in leading our Norway business over the past few years, following successful tenures in drilling and completions and Alaska operations," Roberts said. "We are excited about Mitch taking on this role and continuing to progress the excellent results in our international business."

Watkins and Little will be located in Houston and report to Roberts.

Marathon Oil is an independent international energy company. Based in Houston, Texas, Marathon Oil had net proved reserves at the end of 2011 of 1.8 billion barrels of oil equivalent in North America, Europe and Africa. For more information, please visit the Company's website at http://www.marathonoil.com.