Kosmos Energy has announced the first-ever production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) project, a landmark achievement for both Senegal and Mauritania. This milestone confirms the two nations’ entry into the global oil and gas market, following a joint declaration by their governments on December 31 that gas had begun flowing from offshore wells to a floating production, storage, and offloading vessel positioned at the maritime border.
sangomar field adds to Senegal’s energy momentum
Just months prior, on June 25, 2024, Senegal’s presidency revealed that the Sangomar oil field, located roughly 100 kilometers south of Dakar, had commenced production, delivering its first barrels of crude to global markets.
key players and project structure
The GTA initiative is a major cross-border gas venture led by BP as the principal operator, alongside partners including Kosmos Energy, Senegal’s Société des Pétroles du Sénégal (Petrosen), and Mauritania’s Société Mauritanienne des Hydrocarbures et du Patrimoine Minier (SMHPM). While BP oversees the overall development, the Sangomar field is managed by Woodside Energy, an Australian firm. Senegal also boasts another significant gas resource, the Yakaar-Teranga field, further bolstering its energy portfolio.
production capacity and future outlook
According to Mohamed Ould Khaled, Mauritania’s Minister of Energy and Petroleum, and his Senegalese counterpart Birame Souleye Diop, the GTA project is initially set to produce 2.5 million tons of LNG annually. However, this output is expected to surge to 10 million tons per year in the coming years, as reported by Mauritania’s official news agency. This expansion aligns with broader regional efforts to enhance energy security and economic growth through hydrocarbon development.