The Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) gas field, an energy jewel shared between Senegal and Mauritania, seemed ready to elevate the two countries to the rank of gas powers. But according to a recent report relayed by The Observerthe story could well experience a new twist: the start of production, postponed many times, could be once again postponed due to major technical problems.
Promises constantly pushed back
Initially scheduled for 2022, the launch of phase 1 of the GTA project experienced a series of delays linked to various factors, including the Covid-19 pandemic. After being successively announced for 2023, then for the first half of 2024, a third quarter deadline was set last January by the Senegalese and Mauritanian authorities during a joint meeting in Dakar. Today, a few days before 2025, this deadline seems compromised.
A senior executive of the Senegal oil company (Petrosen), cited by The Observerexplains that “the postponement is linked to technical problems with gas liquefaction. The operator BP wants to guarantee that everything works perfectly before starting, in order to avoid any risks that could compromise the future of the project. »
Complexity and prudence: a costly duo
With its depth of 2,850 meters, GTA represents one of the most ambitious and complex offshore projects in Africa. The stakes are enormous, as are the investments made by BP and its partners. Operators have no room for error. “Each step requires rigorous testing to guarantee the security and technical compatibility of the infrastructures,” specifies The Observer. This perfectionism, although necessary, generated additional costs and lengthened deadlines.
Delays, but ambition intact
Despite these pitfalls, the Senegalese and Mauritanian governments remain determined to carry out this project. During the January meeting, the oil ministers of the two countries had underlined their commitment to safeguarding the interests of the nations and guaranteeing the rights of contractors. But as a source cited by The Observer“in oil and gas projects, schedules are rarely 100% controlled”.
A promising future… to wait
Once operational, GTA Phase 1 is expected to produce 2.3 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) per year. This volume could transform the economies of both countries, increasing their income and their energy influence on the world market. For now, however, GTA remains a dream that is slow to come to fruition, leaving one question unanswered: how long will we have to wait?
GTA gas could well be an underwater treasure, but for the Senegalese and Mauritanian populations, it remains above all a treasure out of reach.
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