Venice Energy, the company behind a proposed FSRU-based LNG import terminal in South Australia, has appointed John Nicholson as the chief executive officer of its new LNG terminal unit.
Nicholson will formally take up his new role as the head of Venice Energy’s new project subsidiary, Venice Regas, on June 1, according to a statement by the firm.
He will also take on the role as the development director for the Venice Energy parent company as it seeks to develop additional projects in the next 2-3 years.
Venice Energy managing director, Kym Winter-Dewhirst, said in the statement that securing the services of Nicholson, a 30-year veteran of major infrastructure projects across the UK, Asia and Australia, is a “major coup” for the company.
“In recent years John has delivered more than $8 billion in major infrastructure projects across Australia as national business leader for Dutch infrastructure giant, Arcadis, which has supported the Venice Energy project over the last five years,” he said.
Venice Energy plans to build the LNG import terminal in the Outer Harbor channel at Port Adelaide.
The project will require the development of two new wharfs, berthing pockets, loading arms, cryogenic pipes, surface infrastructure and a connection into the Sea gas pipeline to both SA and Victoria.
Venice Energy is expecting to take a final investment decision to build its FSRU-based LNG import project by August this year.
“We anticipate the project will break new ground later this year and will require 24 months to complete before we take delivery of the 145,673-cbm floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) in late 2025 under an arrangement with Greek shipping company GasLog,” Winter-Dewhirst said.