International Resources Holding (IRH) has signed a 20-year agreement with Delfin LNG and Vitol to buy 1.0 MTPA of U.S. liquefied natural gas. The deal accelerates Delfin’s upcoming final investment decision on its floating LNG infrastructure while cementing Abu Dhabi-based IRH’s expansion into global energy trading markets.
Abu Dhabi | November 4, 2025 – In a major expansion of Gulf-backed energy trading into the United States, International Resources Holding (IRH) has signed a 20-year Heads of Agreement (HoA) with U.S. infrastructure developer Delfin LNG and global commodity giant Vitol.
The 1.0 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) liquefied natural gas (LNG) deal represents the largest transaction to date for IRH’s rapidly growing energy trading arm. It signals a major push by Abu Dhabi-based entities to secure long-term, reliable hydrocarbon positions in the U.S. Gulf Coast to power downstream ecosystems and global supply chains.
A Tripartite, Multi-Layered Flow Structure
The multi-decade agreement utilizes a unique three-party structure designed to bridge low-cost U.S. production with Middle Eastern trading clout and Vitol’s world-class logistical optimizations.
Under the terms of the agreement:
- Production & Loading: Delfin LNG will supply the super-chilled fuel on a free-on-board (FOB) basis from its deepwater port project off the coast of Louisiana.
- The Offtaker: Vitol, one of the world’s largest independent energy traders, will act as the primary offtaker at the terminal.
- The Destination: Vitol will handle the physical midstream logistics, delivering the specified volumes over the 20-year term to IRH Global Trading (IRHGT).
Definitive, binding agreements between the three parties are expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.
Pushing Delfin Closer to Final Investment Decision (FID)
For Delfin LNG, securing the 1.0 MTPA commitment from an elite tier of trading partners is a critical catalyst. The developer is utilizing low-cost Floating LNG (FLNG) technology at its deepwater port site, which leverages the existing UTOS pipeline—the largest natural gas pipeline in the Gulf of Mexico—to drastically reduce onshore infrastructure footprints and upfront capital expenditure.
Delfin’s deepwater port license from the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) and long-term export approvals from the Department of Energy (DOE) allow it to export up to 13.2 MTPA across multiple FLNG vessels.
“It’s an honor to have been selected by IRHGT and Vitol as a long-term liquefied natural gas supplier, and we look forward to working together as we make Final Investment Decision (FID) on the first FLNG Vessel in the coming weeks,” said Dudley Poston, CEO of Delfin.
The Rise of Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Commodity Hubs
While IRH is traditionally known as a “mine-to-market” platform specializing in metals critical to the energy transition (such as copper, nickel, and cobalt), this transaction marks a aggressive pivot into physical gas markets under its parent company, ePointZero.
“This transaction is a major milestone in the development of IRHGT’s global LNG portfolio,” explained Ali Rashed AlRashdi, CEO of IRH. “As part of our vision to build an integrated global trading platform headquartered in Abu Dhabi, IRHGT is actively expanding its presence across physical and financial markets in natural gas, power, crude oil, refined products, metals, and equities.”
Mohamed Hesham, CEO of parent firm ePointZero, noted that securing reliable, long-term resource portfolios is vital to protecting downstream operations and ensuring structural energy resilience across the group’s global resource network.
Vitol Continues LNG Asset Aggregation
For Vitol, the deal layers more volume into an already massive global LNG portfolio. Having delivered 18 million metric tonnes of LNG in 2024 alone, the trading house continues to view natural gas as a pivotal transition fuel for the marine bunkering and power-generation sectors over the next quarter-century.
“LNG is a key fuel for the future and of growing importance in Vitol’s portfolio,” stated Russell Hardy, CEO of Vitol. “We are committed to delivering optimized LNG solutions to our customers around the world.”
The blockbuster deal rounds out a series of highly active capital deployments by IRH, which recently closed a 56% controlling stake in high-grade tin producer Alphamin Resources for AED 1.35 billion, alongside sweeping decarbonization and mineral exploration agreements signed with the Egyptian government.
Quick Specs
| Volume | 1.0 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) |
| Duration | 20 Years |
| Delivery Basis | Free-on-Board (FOB) via Vitol |
| Source Facility | Delfin LNG Deepwater Port (U.S. Gulf of Mexico) |
| Target Status | Commercial agreements finalized ahead of imminent FLNG Vessel FID |
About Delfin Midstream
Delfin is a leading LNG export infrastructure development company utilizing low-cost Floating LNG (FLNG) technology solutions. As the parent company of Delfin LNG, it operates a brownfield deepwater port requiring minimal additional infrastructure investment to support up to three FLNG vessels producing up to 13.2 MTPA of LNG. Delfin purchased the UTOS pipeline, the largest natural gas pipeline in the Gulf of Mexico. Delfin LNG has received a deepwater port license from MARAD and approval from the Department of Energy for long-term LNG exports to non-Free Trade Agreement (non-FTA) countries.
About Vitol
Vitol is a global leader in energy and commodities, producing, managing, and delivering resources, including metals, to consumers and industry worldwide. In addition to its primary trading business, Vitol has invested more than $13 billion in long-term infrastructure assets globally. Its clients include national oil companies, multinationals, leading industrial corporations, and utilities. Founded in Rotterdam in 1966, Vitol currently serves its customers from approximately 40 offices worldwide, reporting revenues of over $330 billion in 2024.
Vitol is also a long-established participant in liquefied natural gas markets, having commenced LNG trading in the mid-2000s. The company maintains a diversified global LNG portfolio of contracts and equity positions, enabling it to provide customers with tailor-made short- and long-term supply solutions. In 2024, Vitol delivered 18 million metric tonnes (MT) of LNG.
About International Resources Holding (IRH)
International Resources Holding (IRH), a subsidiary of ePointZero headquartered in Abu Dhabi, UAE, is a global mine-to-market platform strategically investing in minerals critical to the energy transition and technological advancement. IRH’s integrated model spans upstream exploration, midstream processing, and downstream distribution, targeting minerals such as copper, cobalt, nickel, manganese, graphite, rare earth metals, tin, tantalum, and tungsten. IRH emphasizes sustainable, responsible resource development and actively partners with communities and governments worldwide.
Source: International Resources Holding