NextDecade Corp. appointed Ivan Van der Walt as COO, the Houston-based developer of LNG and carbon capture projects along the Texas Gulf Coast said June 21.

Additionally, the company announced the appointment of Vera de Gyarfas, previously a partner in Mayer Brown’s Houston office, as general counsel and corporate secretary. She replaces Krysta De Lima, who will be leaving the company to pursue other interests.

Ivan Van der Walt - NextDecade Headshot
Ivan Van der Walt

With nearly 30 years of experience in the global energy industry, Van Der Walt has management experience on multiple LNG projects, according to a company release. These projects include Darwin LNG, Woodside LNG Train 5, Pluto LNG, Gorgon LNG as well as its associated carbon capture and storage project, and Cameron LNG.

Van Der Walt has served as NextDecade’s senior vice president of engineering and construction since joining the company in 2018. He had previously held senior roles with Chicago Bridge & Iron Co. (now McDermott) and Chevron Corp. as well as previously serving as CEO of the Australasian division of the KNM Group.

Following July 1 when his appointment as COO takes effect, he will continue to be responsible for all project management, engineering, construction, commissioning, and operations of the company’s LNG and carbon capture projects, according to the company release.

NextDecade is currently developing the Rio Grande LNG facility, which the company said is expected to be the largest and greenest U.S. LNG export solution linking Permian Basin and Eagle Ford Shale natural gas production to the global LNG market. The development of the Rio Grande facility in South Texas also includes one of the largest carbon capture and storage projects in North America.