May 13 (Reuters) - U.S.-based LNG company New Fortress

Energy ( NFE ) said on Tuesday it would push its quarterly

filing with the U.S. securities regulator due to delay in

completing the previously announced sale of its business in

Jamaica.

In March, Excelerate Energy agreed to buy New Fortress

Energy's ( NFE ) Jamaica business for $1.06 billion in cash, with the

transaction expected to close in the near term.

The company began exploring various options

last year

, which included bringing in strategic partners or selling

assets, after it was forced to defer shareholder dividend

payments while negotiating with bondholders to address near-term

debt maturities.

New Fortress added that the extension was partly a

result of the resignation of its accounting chief, effective

April 29, which diverted time and resources from the routine

preparation and review of quarterly reports.