Sempra creates LNG assets managing group

US LNG player Sempra Energy has formed a new operating group for its North American infrastructure businesses that will encompass LNG development and marketing activities.

Sempra has named the group Sempra North American Infrastructure and named Carlos Ruiz Sacristán as chairman and CEO.

Ruiz has served as chairman and CEO of Sempra Energy’s Mexican operating unit, Infraestructura Energética Nova (IEnova) since 2012.

Ruiz and the new Sempra North American Infrastructure group will report to Joseph Householder, president and chief operating officer of Sempra Energy.

The group will encompass Sempra Energy’s Mexican operations contained within IEnova, Sempra LNG & Midstream’s existing operations, including Cameron LNG and all other liquefied natural gas development and marketing activities.

As part of his new role, Ruiz will continue to serve as executive chairman of the board of directors of IEnova. He will be succeeded as IEnova CEO by Tania Ortiz Mena, a board member of Oncor Electric Delivery and the Mexican Natural Gas Association, effective September 1.

Octávio Simões currently president of Sempra LNG & Midstream, has been promoted to president and CEO of that company, while Justin Bird currently vice president of gas infrastructure and special counsel for Sempra Energy, has been named chief development officer for the Sempra North American Infrastructure group. He will be responsible for activities related to project development for all current and future LNG and midstream projects.

Amy Chiu, vice president of asset management for Sempra LNG & Midstream, has been named chief asset management officer for the Sempra North American Infrastructure group. In her new role, Chiu will oversee Cameron LNG joint-venture management, Energía Costa Azul joint-venture management and LNG operations.

Kathryn Collier, vice president and treasurer for Sempra Energy, has been appointed chief financial officer and chief administrative officer for the Sempra North American Infrastructure group.

All appointments will be effective on August 25.