Golar LNG Limited says that Doug Arnell has decided to step down as CEO of Golar on Feb. 1. Arnell's decision is driven by a personal wish to return with his family to his home country of Canada.

Arnell will be succeeded by Gary Smith, who is well known to Golar and who brings with him a track record of leadership and operational management success in the mid-stream oil and gas, shipping and LNG businesses.

Smith's career spans 35 years, including 25 years with Shell and Caltex Australia (a Chevron affiliate) in roles including general manager LNG Shipping for Shell (STASCO) and general manager Refining, Supply and Distribution for Caltex Australia. In the period between March 2006 and September 2009 he was CEO of the then smaller Golar LNG Ltd., a position he relinquished to return to his native Australia for family reasons.

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