Icahn, who now holds a 13.9 percent stake in Cheniere, had started buying up shares as Cheniere locked down export contracts for Sabine Pass, but he disagreed with Souki's plans for further developments as other export terminals started to come online around the world. He disclosed an 8 percent stake in August. In December, the company's board voted to replace Souki with one of its own directors, Neal Shear, as interim CEO while they looked for a replacement.