Mauritania-Senegal joint GTA gas project launched, hailed as new era of energy security

British energy giant BP has officially launched gas production at the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) field, strategically located along the maritime border between Senegal and Mauritania that represents a promising source of natural gas and a lever for economic transformation.

During a recent ceremony, Senegal’s president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, recently welcomed a delegation from the British Petroleum (BP) to the Presidential Palace when they jointly announced the commencement of gas production at the GTA gas field. As a collaborative effort between Senegal and Mauritania, this major cross-border energy project between both countries marks a key milestone after nine years of development. On 13 January 2025, both countries signed an agreement on local content for the GTA gas project, bringing the energy cooperation between Senegal and Mauritania to a higher level.

Discovered in 2015, the GTA holds an estimated 20 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of natural gas, equivalent to approximately 530 billion cubic meters. According to PETROSEN, Senegal’s state oil company, the long-term goal is to produce 10 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) annually. It is operated by a consortium led by BP, which holds a 53.3% stake, Kosmos Energy with 26.7% and PETROSEN with 20%. Senegal is poised to benefit from the GTA development including through job creation and enhanced energy security, while contributing to the global supply of natural gas.