Saudi Aramco has appointed a new vice president for its southern area operations replacing Zuhair Al-Hussain, who retired after working at the state oil giant for more than three decades, industry sources said on Wednesday.

Ghawar oilfield, the world's largest onshore oilfield, is under the southern area's operations.

The Arabian Sun, Aramco's weekly magazine reported on the retirement of Al-Hussain, who joined Aramco as petroleum engineer in 1978 and has had many roles including vice president of drilling and workover.

The magazine did not say who will replace Al-Hussain, but industry sources told Reuters that Khalid Al-Buraik, vice president of petroleum engineering and development will assume this role, replaced by Nasir Al-Naimi.

Al-Naimi's last post was vice president of corporate planning. That was taken over by Motassim Al-Maashouq.

Saudi Aramco did not immediately respond to an e-mailed request for comment.  - Reuters