LONDON, February 18 (RIA Novosti) - Robert Dudley, the ex-head of the Russian-British oil joint venture TNK-BP who resigned last year over a conflict with Russian shareholders, has been elected to the BP board of directors, BP said on Wednesday.

"The board of BP p.l.c. today announced that it has appointed Robert Dudley as a director with effect from April 6, 2009. As a managing director of the BP Group he will assume responsibility for the broad oversight of the company's activities in the Americas and Asia," BP said in a statement.

TNK-BP is split 50-50 between BP and the AAR consortium of Russian billionaire shareholders. The two clashed in 2008 over strategy, management and control of the third-largest oil producer in Russia.

Under a deal agreed by the parties, Dudley is to be replaced by an executive from outside BP with extensive Russian experience.