What are the financial details of the Louisiana LNG project?

Woodside Energy (ASX:WDS) is developing the Louisiana LNG facility with an estimated project cost of US$17.5 billion. The development has already commenced construction, and pipeline operator Williams retains a minority equity stake in the facility.

What is the employment background of the departing Louisiana LNG president?

Before joining Woodside Energy (ASX:WDS), Sarah Bairstow served as the chief executive officer of Mexico Pacific. During her tenure there, that company experienced project delays and cut dozens of staff roles in Houston in February 2025.

What commercial agreements does the Louisiana LNG project currently have?

Woodside Energy (ASX:WDS) has secured a 13-year supply agreement with Germany's Uniper for one million tonnes of liquefied natural gas per annum. However, the company stated that most of the facility's remaining production capacity has yet to secure long-term buyers.

What does this departure mean for the broader Woodside Energy corporate strategy?

The exit marks the second major executive transition for Woodside Energy (ASX:WDS) in less than a year, following the departure of former chief executive Meg O'Neill to BP. The company stated that it still intends to bring in other equity partners for the United States asset, which it acquired via Tellurian in 2024.

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Woodside Energy executive departs Louisiana Project

Written by Isaac FrancisPublished Jun 16, 2026, 3:45 AM

· Louisiana LNG head Sarah Bairstow has departed the company after just over one year in the role.

· Woodside Energy has not yet issued a formal statement to the Australian Securities Exchange regarding the departure.

· The executive transition occurs as the company seeks buyers for the project's remaining liquefied natural gas capacity.

Woodside Energy (ASX:WDS) confirmed the immediate departure of Louisiana LNG president Sarah Bairstow from the US$17.5 billion project, effective overnight June 15.

The departure follows just over 12 months after Bairstow was appointed to lead the company's first liquefied natural gas export project outside of Australia.

"It is not Woodside's practice to comment on personnel matters," said a Woodside Energy spokesperson.

Before her tenure at Woodside Energy, Bairstow served as CEO of Mexico Pacific, which experienced project delays and staff reductions in Houston in February 2025.

The Louisiana development commenced construction after receiving final approval last year, but the company stated that most of the facility's production capacity has yet to secure long-term buyers.

Following the announcement, the Woodside Energy share price was unchanged at $27.34.

The project secured a 13-year supply agreement with Germany's Uniper for one million tonnes of liquefied natural gas per annum, while pipeline operator Williams retains a minority equity stake in the facility.

Woodside Energy originally entered the United States liquefied natural gas market through its 2024 acquisition of Tellurian, and this leadership change marks the second major executive transition for the producer following former CEO Meg O'Neill's move to BP.