Jim Johnny Gast has been appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer of the newly demerged entity, Vedanta Oil & Gas, effective 1^st May 2026. He was serving as the Head Exploration Geoscience since he joined in 2025.

With over 30 years of global experience in the oil and gas industry, Jim brings deep expertise in exploration, subsurface development, portfolio strategy, and large-scale project governance. At Vedanta Oil & Gas, he is responsible for leading business growth, strategy and operations, with a focus on safe and responsible production. Known as a hands‑on leader, mentor, and coach, Jim brings a thoughtful and independent perspective rooted in technical rigour, operational excellence, safety leadership, and people development.

Jim has led geographically diverse teams, overseen exploration drilling and seismic campaigns, managed venture entries, and relinquishments, and driven disciplined decision‑making at the interface of technical uncertainty and business value. Prior to joining Cairn, Vedanta, he has held senior leadership roles with Shell for over three decades across Europe, Middle East, Asia‑Pacific, Africa, and South America.

He holds a Master’s degree in Geology from the University of Utrecht and is an APM Chartered Project Professional and is bilingual in English and Dutch, with working knowledge of German.