TNK-BP Ltd., half-owned by BP PLC (BP), still intends to promote Deputy Chief Executive Maxim Barsky to CEO, shareholder and Vice President German Khan said Thursday.

Barsky was picked by the TNK-BP board to head the company following a shareholder dispute in 2008. Under an initial plan, Barsky was supposed to be promoted to CEO on Jan. 1 this year, but the board has yet to approve his promotion.

"At some point, he will become (CEO)," said Khan, when asked at a press briefing.

Barsky has told the Financial Times in an interview that he intends to leave the company, if he isn't promoted to CEO by New Year.