Kazakhstan replaces state oil company boss

ASTANA, May 29 (Reuters) - Kazakhstan has replaced the chief executive at the state oil and gas company KazMunaiGas [KMG.UL], Prime Minister Karim Masimov said on Thursday.

"The board of Samruk (the holding in charge of state-owned companies) has appointed Serik Burkitbayev the president of KazMunaiGas," Masimov told a meeting at KazMunaiGas.

Burkitbayev, 50, previosly the head of state science and technology holding Samgau, will take over from Uzakbai Karabalin, who has run the company since 2003.

Earlier on Thursday, Reuters reported that Karabalin had resigned, quoting a company spokesman. This story was withdrawn after the company said it was referring to another executive, Karabalin's deputy, Ulan Baizhanov, who also quit on Thursday.

KazMunaiGas owns minority stakes in the country's largest oil projects, such as Tengiz and Kashagan, as well as a controlling stake in the London-listed upstream company KazMunaiGas E&P (KMGq.L: Quote, Profile, Research) RDGZ.KZ. (Reporting by Olga Kovalenko; Writing by Olzhas Auyezov; Editing by David Cowell)