bp has started flowing gas from the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) Phase 1 project, one of the deepest and most complex gas developments in Africa, to its floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel, the company announced on Thursday.
With gas resources in water depths of up to 2,850 meters, GTA—located on the maritime border of Mauritania and Senegal in Western Africa—is one of the deepest offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) developments in Africa.
Once fully commissioned, GTA Phase 1 is expected to produce around 2.3 million tonnes of LNG per year, bp said.
Natural gas from GTA Phase 1 is being transported to the GTA FPSO, located roughly 40 kilometers offshore, where water, condensate, and impurities are removed from the gas. The FPSO is designed to process over 500 million standard cubic feet of gas per day.
The gas will then be piped to a floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) vessel, located 10 kilometers offshore, where it will be cryogenically cooled and stored before being loaded onto LNG carriers for export.
Some of the gas will be allocated to meet the rising energy demands of the two host countries.
First gas flow marks the start of gas commercialization efforts in the region and ‘is a material example of supporting the global energy demands of today and reiterates our commitment to help Mauritania and Senegal develop their natural resources,’ said Gordon Birrell, executive vice president of production and operations.
‘Africa’s significance in the global energy system is growing, and these nations now have enhanced roles to play,’ said Birrell.
‘With this milestone, Mauritania and Senegal take a major step towards an exciting new chapter as gas-exporting nations,’ said Dave Campbell, senior vice president of bp Mauritania and Senegal.
bp is also supporting local economic development in both countries by investing in areas such as fishing, women cooperatives, health, micro-finance, and business skills training.
GTA construction efforts have generated more than 3,000 local jobs, and has involved approximately 300 local companies across Mauritania and Senegal, over the years.
