What Mauritanians expect from gas exploitation

Based on estimates over 20 years, this project, operated through a partnership with the BP-Kosmos consortium, should bring Mauritania and Senegal between $80 and $90 billion, subject to the ironing out of differences between the two. States and BP, regarding the additional costs caused by a series of postponements of entry into production of the project and suspicions of overinvoicing.

GTA’s annual production is estimated at 2.5 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Reserves are estimated at 425 billion cubic meters.

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Ahmed Vall ould Mohameden, advisor in charge of cooperation and communication at the Ministry of Energy and Oil, welcomes “the accession of Mauritania to the circle of natural gas producing countries thanks to the start of production of the Grand Tortue-Ahmeyim field. An important gas deposit, shared with our Senegalese neighbor. Reserves provide new prospects for both countries and the region».

Returning to the exploitation of the deposit, the advisor explains that “it is a project with a life cycle of 20 years or more, which required an enormous investment and a large deployment of technical, technological, financial and logistical means, which opens new perspectives for the region. We will achieve annual production of 2.5 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG)».

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As for the repercussions on the Mauritanian economy, “this gas will be marketed and benefit the economies of Mauritania and Senegal. In addition to this, there are also quantities of gas intended for domestic industry, in particular, for Mauritania. A plan has been put in place for the construction of a gas-fired power plant, which will help resolve the problem of the structural electricity deficit in recent years.».

This official also welcomes the role that Mauritania intends to play in the commissioning of the Atlantic Africa gas pipeline, which will contribute to the integration of the region and the integration between Africa and Europe.

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For his part, Baliou Coulibaly, president of the Mauritanian section of the global coalition “Publish what you pay”, recalls what must be the objective of states: “convert natural resources into the well-being of populations. Companies should get maximum profit during the project life cycle. Therefore, our main concerns as activists for economic and social justice is to ensure the optimization of State revenue collection, inclusive and sustainable human development. The gains should translate into training for the benefit of young people, the creation of direct jobs, the transfer of skills and the strengthening of the capacities of the local private sector. This resource must also ensure a fair and equitable energy transition, which allows communities to improve their access to clean energy and good management of the environmental and social impacts of projects.».