Former McDermott COO joins Tellurian

US LNG firm Tellurian has hired former McDermott chief operating officer Samik Mukherjee to help with construction and operations of its Driftwood project in Louisiana.

This move follows the decision by Tellurian’s current COO Keith Teague to retire from full time employment.

Also, Teague will continue with Tellurian in an advisory role, according to the company’s statement on Monday.

“Keith has been an integral part of my team for many years, having been responsible for the development, construction and operation of our liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects at Cheniere, and now he has led Tellurian to the construction phase of Driftwood LNG,” the firm’s co-founder and executive chairman, Charif Souki, said in the statement.

His successor Mukherjee has over thirty years of experience in the energy industry, having recently served as executive VP and COO of McDermott, the Houston-based construction and engineering provider.

Mukherjee will be responsible for all Tellurian’s asset projects including the construction and operations of Driftwood LNG.

“Over 60 mtpa of LNG capacity”

“Samik has proven results in developing and delivering over 60 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG capacity over five projects and five countries,” Tellurian’s president and CEO, Octavio Simoes, said.

“He brings strong business acumen as well as engineering experience, industry and organizational leadership and a proficiency in energy transition, and we welcome him to the Tellurian family,” he said.

In March, Tellurian issued a limited notice to proceed to Bechtel to begin construction of the Driftwood LNG terminal.

Tellurian is still working to complete financing for the project and expects to start first LNG exports in 2026.

In addition, the Houston-based firm signed three 10-year LNG supply deals for the Driftwood project for a total of 9 mtpa. These include contracts with Gunvor, Vitol as well as Shell.

Phase one of the project will include two LNG plants near Lake Charles with an export capacity of up to 11 mtpa. The full project will have 27.6 mtpa liquefaction capacity.

Most Popular

LNG carrier arrives to load first LNG Canada cargo

The 174,000-cbm GasLog Glasgow has arrived at the LNG Canada jetty in Kitimat to load the first LNG cargo produced at the Shell-led terminal, an LNG Canada spokesperson told LNG Prime on Saturday.

Knutsen, Shell name ninth LNG newbuild

Norwegian shipowner Knutsen and UK-based energy giant Shell have named the ninth and final LNG carrier in a series of 174,000-cbm vessels.

BP seals LNG SPA with Italy’s A2A

UK-based energy giant BP has signed a long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply deal with Italian electricity and gas distributor A2A.

More News Like This

Golden Pass LNG contractors agree terms for second and third train

Japan's Chiyoda and US-based McDermott have signed a binding term sheet with Golden Pass LNG, a joint venture owned by QatarEnergy and ExxonMobil, to complete the construction of the second and third liquefaction units at the giant LNG export plant in Texas.

Woodside, Stonepeak wrap up Louisiana LNG stake sale

Australian LNG player Woodside has completed the previously announced sell-down of a 40 percent stake in its Louisiana LNG project to US private equity firm Stonepeak.

Woodside’s Louisiana LNG gets FERC extension

Woodside has secured an additional eight-month extension from the US FERC to complete and put into service its Louisiana LNG export facility.

Canada’s Woodfibre LNG takes delivery of first modules

Canada’s Woodfibre LNG, a joint venture of Pacific Energy and Enbridge, has taken delivery of the first seven modules from China at the site of its LNG export facility near Squamish, British Columbia.