Commonwealth LNG, the developer of the proposed 8.4 mtpa plant in Cameron, Louisiana, said it has named Farhad Ahrabi as its new president and CEO.
Ahrabi joins Commonwealth following a seven-year tenure at Sempra’s Cameron LNG, during which he oversaw the development, construction and subsequent operations of the 14.5 mtpa LNG facility in Hackberry, Louisiana.
He arrives at Commonwealth at a “key juncture” as the company finalizes permitting and commercial arrangements for its own LNG export facility to be located at the mouth of Calcasieu River, the company said in a statement.
“The depth of Farhad’s leadership experience, both at Cameron and the preceding 28 years with BG Group, will be of immeasurable value to our team as we move through the final stages of development and into construction and operation,” said Commonwealth founder and chairman, Paul Varello.
Earlier this year, Commonwealth signed a heads of agreement with a unit of Australian LNG player Woodside.
Under the deal, Woodside Energy Trading Singapore would buy 2 Mtpa of LNG over a period of 20 years, scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2026.
Commonwealth LNG said last year it had expected to take a final investment decsion in the first quarter of 2022.
In January 2021, the LNG terminal developer teamed up with trader Gunvor to launch an offtake tender for volumes from its proposed liquefaction plant in Cameron.
The trading firm also committed to take up to 3 Mtpa of LNG offtake from the project.
In addition, Commonwealth LNG signed a preliminary Bangladesh supply deal with Summit Oil and Shipping (Soscl) for 1 Mtpa over a period of 20 years.