Global energy major bp and its partners in the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) liquefied natural gas (LNG) project – namely, Kosmos Energy, Petrosen and Société Mauritanienne des Hydrocarbures (SMH) – have confirmed the development concept for Phase 2 of the GTA initiative.
The development concept – which the parties will further evaluate – includes the development of a gravity-based structure comprising LNG storage and liquefication facilities for the production of between 2.5 million and 3 million tons of LNG per annum.
In addition to liquefaction facilities, the design concept incorporates the drilling of new wells and subsea equipment, which will be integrated with existing infrastructure developed under GTA’s Phase 1. According to a press release issued by bp, the company is now consulting with contractors to progress the design concept towards the pre-FEED stage.
“We aim to build on our strong collaboration with our partners, and the Governments of Mauritania and Senegal, to further develop a long-term, successful energy hub in West Africa. GTA continues to underpin our strategy to develop the most resilient hydrocarbons to help provide energy security today,” stated Gordon Birrell, bp’s Executive Vice President for Operations and Production.
The design confirmation comes at a time when bp and its partners are at an advanced stage with Phase 1 of the GTA development, with the Floating Production, Storage and Offloading vessel departing China in late January for the project site offshore Senegal and Mauritania.
With GTA Phase 1 set to produce 2.3 million tons of LNG per year as from late 2023, Phase 2 will be crucial for maintaining the growth trajectory of Senegal and Mauritania’s hydrocarbon industries post-first production.
For its part, Phase 2 of the GTA project falls under efforts by bp to expand its footprint across the MSGBC region’s energy sector, with the firm signing an exploration and production sharing contract for the BirAllah gas project in Mauritania as well as a deal to enhance the country’s green hydrogen value chain. bp is also working with the Senegalese government and various energy firms to accelerate the development of the Yakaar-Teranga gas fields and related power-to-gas projects while maximizing and exploiting the MSGBC region’s energy sector opportunities.
As bp expands its footprint across the MSGBC region, and a suite of large-scale developments commence production and seek final investment decisions, opportunities for E&P players across the region continue to grow.
In this regard, the region’s premier event for the energy sector, MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power – taking place in Mauritania from November 21-22 under the theme, ‘Scaling Energy Opportunities in Africa’s New Frontier,’ – will explore regional upstream opportunities, the evolving MSGBC E&P landscape and the role gas monetization plays in driving regional economic growth. Through a series of panel discussions, investor forums, presentations and networking summits, the conference connects global players with MSGBC opportunities.
