Mr Mandel graduated from the Ivano-Frankovsky Oil and Gas Institute, specializing in technology and integrated mechanization of oil and gas field development. He also holds a PhD degree in technical sciences.
From 1983 to 1984, Mr Mandel served as head of the exploration drilling directorate with the Sakhalinburgazrazvedka Association. From 1984 to 1996, he was the chief engineer, head of the exploration drilling directorate and the deputy director general for drilling at the Sakhalinmorneftegaz All-Union Production Association.
Yury Komarov, the previous director general of Sevmorneftegaz, was relieved of his post due to his election as CEO of Shtokman Development.
