Mauritania becomes gas-producing state in partnership with Senegal

Mauritania officially joined the ranks of gas-producing countries on Tuesday with the opening of its first natural gas well at the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) field. The landmark event was announced by Energy Minister, Mohamed Ould Khaled, as part of a cross-border project with Senegal.

The first gas was produced at 5pm local time on the same day, with liquefaction for export expected to commence in early 2025. The initial production phase targets 2.5 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) per year, with plans to double and later quadruple output in subsequent phases.

The GTA field, located on the maritime border of Mauritania and Senegal, is a collaborative project involving BP, Kosmos Energy, Mauritania’s Societe Mauritanienne des Hydrocarbures (SMH), and Senegal’s state-owned Petrosen.

Le Sénégal et la Mauritanie, pays frères, ont produit leur premiers mètres cubes de gaz offshore du projet GTA.Jusqu’à 2,5 millions de tonnes de gaz naturel liquéfié/an seront produits et exportés. Une partie du gaz naturel sera utilisé localement pour la production d’électricité pic.twitter.com/IJTdiNhgww

— Fary Ndao 🧡🇸🇳 (@ndaofary) January 1, 2025

Both countries hailed the step as a model of regional energy cooperation. “The achievement of this important milestone marks a major step towards the completion of the GTA project,” a joint statement read. The opening of the first gas well “paves the way for the start of the commercialisation of the gas planned very soon,” it added.

Senegal’s Energy Minister, Birame Souleye Diop, was quoted as saying: “The opening of gas wells is a historic step for Senegal. It reflects our common vision with Mauritania to make the GTA project a successful energy collaboration model.”

His Mauritanian counterpart said: “This exemplary partnership with Senegal demonstrates the ability of our two countries to achieve official and sustainable objectives together. The energy future of our region looks promising.”

Senegal, which began oil production last year, continues to focus on the “optimal and transparent exploitation of oil and gas resources,” as outlined by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s New Year’s address. Faye reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring the responsible exploitation of natural resources for the benefit of current and future generations.

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