BP’s GTA LNG project offshore Mauritania and Senegal begins production, first cargo expected in Q1

The Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, located offshore Mauritania and Senegal, has started LNG production, with the first export cargo expected in the first quarter of 2025.

Operated by UK supermajor BP in partnership with US upstream oil company Kosmos Energy, the project marks a significant milestone for West Africa’s energy sector.

Gas from GTA Phase 1 began flowing to the floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel on December 31, 2024 as part of the commissioning process. After processing, the gas is transferred to the floating LNG (FLNG) vessel for liquefaction. BP has now notified BP Gas Marketing Ltd., the offtaker, to prepare for the first LNG shipment.

The project is expected to produce 2.3mn tonnes per year (tpy) of LNG for over 20 years, positioning Mauritania and Senegal as key players in the global LNG market. The development will also support regional economic growth while supplying additional LNG as Europe faces declining gas storage levels.

GTA Phase 1 has faced delays, having originally been scheduled to commence in 2023. However, with production now underway, Kosmos Energy expects a rapid ramp-up in output. The project’s success follows extensive deepwater gas exploration in the region since 2015.

Kosmos Energy CEO Andrew G. Inglis described the achievement as a key moment for the company, its partners, and the Mauritanian and Senegalese governments.

“First LNG is another major milestone for Kosmos, the GTA partnership and the governments of Mauritania and Senegal. We are looking forward to the accelerated ramp-up of LNG production and the first LNG cargo lifting during the first quarter,” he said in a press release.