Texas-based floating LNG player Excelerate Energy said Antonio Pinho has joined the company’s team as commercial director for Brazil as it looks to strengthen its position in South America’s largest country.
Excelerate said Pinho joined the company on March 4 and would “provide new leadership” for the firm’s Rio de Janeiro office.
“Adding Antonio to our team in Brazil is a win-win for both Excelerate and Brazil, as we work hand in hand to deliver reliable energy to the region,” EVP and chief commercial officer Daniel Bustos, said.
Pinho brings over 20 years of experience in commercial and business development in the oil and gas industry to Excelerate, the firm said.
Prior to Excelerate, Antonio worked as the business development director at Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific Company (AG&P). He focused on the development of regasification terminals and small-scale LNG projects in the Americas region.
In addition, he also served as business development director for Zenith Energy. He began his career at Dutch independent tank firm Vopak.
Since 2012, Excelerate has provided regasification services via its FSRUs to Brazil, “complementing the country’s hydropower and diminishing pipeline imports.”
“With demand for gas-fired power generation projected to rise over the next decade in South America’s largest economy, Brazil has aimed to establish a more competitive gas market with private participants,” the firm said.
The firm added that Pinho would “lead Excelerate in bringing flexible, integrated LNG to power solutions to the country.”
To remind, the new appointment comes just a week after the firm announced new vice president of gas and power.