Last week, Shell loaded the first export LNG cargo from its GTA Phase 1 project offshore Mauritania and Senegal.
This followed the flow of first gas from the project, reported earlier this year.
This milestone was bp’s third upstream major project start-up of the year. They were the first three of 10 scheduled by the end of 2027, in line with the UK energy major’s strategy of growing its upstream oil and gas business.
“This first cargo from Mauritania and Senegal marks a significant new supply for global energy markets. Starting exports from GTA Phase 1 is an important step for bp and our oil and gas business as we celebrate the creation of a new production hub within our global portfolio.
“This is the culmination of years of work from the entire project and operations teams - congratulations to all who were involved in safely reaching this landmark. I would also like to thank the governments of Mauritania and Senegal, and our partners – Kosmos Energy, PETROSEN and SMH – for their ongoing support and collaboration,” said Gordon Birrell, bp’s Executive Vice President Production & Operations.
The first shipment was transferred to an LNGC from a Golar chartered FLNG located 10 km offshore, which produced the LNG.
GTA is one of the deepest offshore developments in Africa, with gas resources in water depths of up to 2,850 m, and has been declared ‘a project of strategic national importance’ by the governments of Mauritania and Senegal, bp said.
Domestic market
Once fully commissioned, GTA Phase 1 is expected to produce around 2.4 mill tonnes of LNG per year for export, although an allocation will also be made available for both countries’ domestic markets when they are ready to receive it.
“This is a very proud day for Mauritania and Senegal. Throughout the development of this project, we have built strong relationships with the project’s host governments, local communities and our partners, and we look forward to strengthening these in years to come as we continue ongoing operations,” Dave Campbell, bp’s Senior Vice President, Mauritania and Senegal added.
Golar LNG also confirmed that the FLNG ’Gimi’ had completed the offloading of its first full LNG cargo to bp’s LNGC ‘British Sponsor’.
This triggered the final pre-commercial operations date (COD) milestone bonus payment to Golar under the terms of the commercial reset agreed in August, 2024.
Commissioning remained on track for a 2Q25 COD, which will kick start the 20-year lease and operate agreement that unlocks the equivalent of around $3 bill of adjusted EBITDA backlog (Golar's share) and recognition of contractual payments comprised of capital and operating elements in both the balance sheet and income statement, the FLNG owner said.
bp started the Mauritania and Senegal project in 2017 and since then, GTA’s construction activities have generated more than 3,000 local jobs, and the project has engaged with around 300 local companies across the two countries, the energy major said.
