First gas flows at Greater Tortue Ahmeyim

The Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) LNG project, operated by BP in partnership with Kosmos Energy, Petrosen and SMH, has achieved its first gas flow, marking a pivotal step in Mauritania’s and Senegal’s emergence as LNG exporters.

This milestone comes amid a broader commercial reset between BP and Golar LNG, emphasising the project’s critical role in advancing West Africa’s liquefied natural gas potential.

Gas from GTA Phase 1 is now being processed aboard a floating production storage and offloading vessel, positioned approximately 40 km offshore. The gas undergoes treatment to remove water, condensate and impurities before being piped to the Gimi floating liquefied natural gas vessel for liquefaction and export.

The project is expected to produce 2.3M tonnes of LNG annually once fully operational, with a portion allocated to domestic energy needs in Mauritania and Senegal.

“This is a landmark for GTA and a testament to BP’s commitment to safe operations and collaboration with host governments,” commented BP executive vice president of production and operations, Gordon Birrell.

He added, “Africa’s role in the global energy system is expanding, and this achievement highlights the potential of Mauritania and Senegal as significant contributors.”

With West African cargoes, European importers in countries facing energy supply challenges stand to benefit from reduced shipping times and costs compared with sourcing LNG from the US Gulf of Mexico or the Middle East. As Europe continues to diversify its energy sources, the relatively shorthaul distance from West Africa to European markets offers a logistical advantage for the GTA project. West Africa’s LNG potential represents a strategic supply option that is closer to home than the Gulf of Mexico and offers a safer and shorter route for cargoes than Middle Eastern cargoes travelling through the Red Sea or around Africa, respectively.

GTA’s construction has generated more than 3,000 local jobs and engaged 300 local companies, underpinned by a multi-million-dollar social investment programme focusing on education, health and economic development.

The project’s successful launch underscores its importance in addressing global energy demands while fostering regional economic growth.

BP senior vice president for Mauritania and Senegal, Dave Campbell stated, “With this milestone, Mauritania and Senegal take a major step towards becoming gas-exporting nations, reflecting the resilience and dedication of all stakeholders.”