Senegal and Mauritania announced progress in their joint offshore natural gas project after opening the first well at the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) field along their shared maritime border.
The GTA project, developed in partnership with British energy giant BP, Kosmos Energy from the US, Mauritanian hydrocarbons firm SMH, and Senegal’s state-owned Petrosen, aims to produce approximately 2.5 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas annually.
Originally slated for production in late 2024, operations have been delayed until this year. The two nations declared the opening of the first gas well a key milestone, marking significant progress toward the GTA project’s completion and the commencement of commercial gas production.
Senegal, classified among the world’s 25 least developed countries, entered the oil production arena in June 2023 with the Sangomar offshore oil field. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who assumed office earlier this year on a reformist platform, has committed to transparent and efficient management of the country’s natural resources.
In his New Year’s address, Faye emphasised the importance of utilizing oil and gas resources to benefit both the current economy and future generations. One of his first acts as president was ordering an audit of Senegal’s oil, gas, and mining sectors to ensure accountability.
The GTA project exemplifies cross-border cooperation and is expected to boost both nations’ economies. With gas commercialisation on the horizon, the venture highlights West Africa’s increasing prominence in the global energy market.
