A plane collision that occurred in Moscow on the evening of 20 October has claimed the life of Christophe de Margerie, CEO of French oil giant Total (Paris; www.total.com/en).

According to company information as well as reports from the Russian authorities, De Margerie’s private jet collided with a snow plough at Moscow’s Vnukovo airport. The accident left him and three crew members dead. No further details were available.

Russian media report that De Margerie had earlier met with prime minister Dmitry Medvedev to discuss potential investments in Russia. The accident occurred when the jet was about to return to Paris.

De Margerie, who was 63 at the time of his death, had been working at Total and its predecessors since 1974. He was appointed group chairman and CEO in 2007. A few weeks ago, he announced plans for a comprehensive restructuring at Total’s refineries and petrochemical operations – see Plasteurope.com of 02.09.2014.

On the night of the accident, the French group called for a crisis meeting. Potential successors to De Margerie include Supply-Marketing president Philippe Boisseau as well as Refining & Chemicals president Patrick Pouyanné.