Mauritania has officially become a gas-producing country

Mauritania has officially become a gas-producing country, as announced by the Minister of Energy earlier on December 31, 2024. The milestone was achieved with the opening of the first natural gas well at the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) field, marking a decisive step in the development of this major cross-border energy project. The first drop of gas was produced at 5 p.m. that same day.

According to the Mauritanian Minister of Energy, Mohamed Ould Khaled, the start-up phase of production involved stabilizing pressure at the pre-treatment units, a process overseen by the production teams. The liquefaction of the first gas molecules for export is scheduled to begin during the first quarter of 2025.

In this initial phase, production is estimated at 2.5 million tons per year. The second phase aims to double production to 5 million tons annually, with the ultimate goal of reaching 10 million tons per year during the third phase.

The Mauritanian and Senegalese governments celebrated the official opening of the GTA project, highlighting it as a model of successful energy cooperation. Developed collaboratively by the Société Mauritanienne des Hydrocarbures (SMH), Senegalese company Petrosen, bp, and Kosmos Energy, the GTA project is one of the largest deepwater gas discoveries in the West African region. It is located on the maritime border between Mauritania and Senegal, showcasing unprecedented regional collaboration in the energy sector.

The Senegalese Minister of Energy, Petroleum, and Mines, Birame Souleye Diop, emphasized the significance of this achievement for Senegal. He described the project as a reflection of the shared vision between the two nations to establish the GTA project as a model of energy collaboration.

Echoing him, his Mauritanian peer highlighted the strategic importance of this milestone, noting that it demonstrates the ability of Mauritania and Senegal to achieve ambitious and sustainable goals together. “The energy future of our region looks promising,” he said.

The opening of the GTA gas wells marks the beginning of a new era for the energy industry in West Africa. The project is expected to play a pivotal role in the economic development of both Mauritania and Senegal, while solidifying their standing in the global energy market. This historic achievement paves the way for the imminent marketing of gas, promising long-term benefits for the region.