2.5 million tonnes of LNG per year expected with the entry into production of the GTA field

With the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) field, Senegal will benefit from 35 million cubic feet of gas per day as will Mauritania

The Senegal confirmed the start of the exploitation of its gas jointly with the Mauritania neighbor since December 31, a step “historical”declared the Senegalese Minister of Oil, Brother Souleye Diop.

In a press release received on January 4 by AFP, one of the companies responsible for operating the project, the British BP, announced that it had “started producing gas from the wells of the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) Phase 1 liquefied natural gas project to its floating production, storage and offloading vessel”.

Senegal and Mauritania had already announced on January 1 the opening of the first well in their marine deposit, without further details.

The Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) project, on the border with Mauritania, is expected to produce around 2.5 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas per year. Postponed several times, its exploitation was eagerly awaited in Senegal and should allow this West African country to transform its economy.

“What we have had since December 31 is historic”declared the Minister of Oil on January 3 to the national channel RTS.

According to him, Senegal will benefit from 35 million cubic feet per day as will Mauritania. “The final goal is to use gas for domestic consumption and export”he added.

The project began six years ago and cost about $7.5 billion, he said.

Its development is ensured by the British BPwith the American Kosmos Energythe Senegal Oil Company (Petrosen) and the Mauritanian Hydrocarbons Company (SMH).

The start of production comes seven months after the entry of Senegal into the circle of hydrocarbon producing countries with the launch since June of oil extraction from the field of Sangomar off the African coast by the Australian company Woodside.

In his New Year’s speech, the new Senegalese president Bassirou Diomaye Fayeelected in March, declared December 31, 2024 “guarantee optimal and transparent exploitation of oil and gas resources for the benefit of the national economy and current and future generations”.

The new Senegalese authorities have announced an audit of oil and gas contracts.