Leadership changes at US LNG "first mover"

Entering into its “operational phase,” liquefied natural gas (LNG) enterprise Cheniere Energy Ltd. has announced changes to its leadership this past weekend.

According to a release on the US company's website, Cheniere's board of directors is replacing the company's co-founder and former chairman, president and CEO, Mr. Charif Souki.

Effective immediately, Cheniere has appointed Board member Neal A. Shear as interim President and Chief Executive Officer, and Board member G. Andrea Botta as Chairman of its Board of Directors. Both are presently members of Cheniere's Board of Directors. A search for a permanent CEO is underway, according to the company's website.

Cheniere thanked Mr. Souki for his “entrepreneurial spirit,” noting that he had had the vision to transform Cheniere into a first mover of LNG exports, and due to that the American company now appears poised to be a significant player on global LNG markets.

In its release, Cheniere reiterated that one of five trains is close to being operational at its Sabine Pass facility, while both that project and one at Corpus Christi are moving forward according to plan.

Natural Gas Europe recently featured an article on Cheniere's "focus on Europe."

Editor's note: We will continue to update this story as it develops.