Oil major bp announce that it has safely loaded the first cargo of liquefied natural gas (LNG) for export from its Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) Phase 1 project offshore Mauritania and Senegal, which follows flow of first gas from the project earlier this year.
This first cargo of LNG at GTA is the third upstream major project start-up of the year for bp, and these are the first of 10 expected by the end of 2027, being in line with bp’s strategy of growing its upstream oil and gas business.
The first shipment of LNG was transferred to a carrier from the project’s floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) vessel located 10 kilometres offshore, where the natural gas had been cryogenically cooled, liquefied and stored, as bp mentions.
GTA is one of the deepest offshore developments in Africa, with gas resources in water depths of up to 2,850 metres, and has been declared “a project of strategic national importance” by the governments of Mauritania and Senegal. Once fully commissioned, GTA Phase 1 is expected to produce around 2.4 million tonnes of LNG per year to feed into global energy needs, with an allocation of gas volumes also to be made available to the domestic markets in both countries when they are ready to receive it.
bp entered Mauritania and Senegal in 2017, with the GTA construction activities having generated more than 3,000 local jobs, and the project has engaged with around 300 local companies across Mauritania and Senegal.
“This first cargo from Mauritania and Senegal marks a significant new supply for global energy markets. Starting exports from GTA Phase 1 is an important step for bp and our oil and gas business as we celebrate the creation of a new production hub within our global portfolio,” says Gordon Birrell, EVP production & operations. He also adds that “This is the culmination of years of work from the entire project and operations teams – congratulations to all who were involved in safely reaching this landmark. I would also like to thank the governments of Mauritania and Senegal, and our partners – Kosmos Energy, PETROSEN and SMH – for their ongoing support and collaboration.”
Dave Campbell, SVP Mauritania and Senegal, says that “This is a very proud day for Mauritania and Senegal. Throughout the development of this project, we have built strong relationships with the project’s host governments, local communities and our partners, and we look forward to strengthening these in years to come as we continue ongoing operations.”
