It is noteworthy that two new players have appeared on the international energy market at once – Senegal and Mauritania have entered the era of natural gas production from the GTA field, which is declared convenient for the development of hydrocarbon resources.
The UK’s BP said production of gas has started at an offshore field that lies across the nations’ maritime boundary in West Africa. The project represents a collaborative effort between multiple international and national energy companies, including BP, US-based Kosmos Energy, Mauritania’s SMH, and Senegal’s Petrosen.
The development, which comes to fruition after six years of careful planning and implementation, has been celebrated as a “historic” achievement by Senegal’s Oil Minister. The field is expected to generate about 2.5 million tonnes of liquified natural gas per year, putting both countries to the international map in the energy producing industries.
The current production capacity may not pose the country as the official member among the established global leaders such as Russia and Qatar; however, the GTA field is an opportunity for both Senegal and Mauritania. I believe our project will bring in a lot of revenue, which when reinvested can bring about the much needed change in the economic framework of both countries.
This development marks a significant shift in West Africa’s energy landscape and demonstrates the region’s emerging role in global natural gas production.
