Gas Leak in Joint Senegal-Mauritania Project Sparks Controversy

Grand Tortue Ahmeyim LNG Project Faces Environmental and Economic Concerns After Gas Emissions Detection

The Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, a joint venture between Senegal and Mauritania, has experienced an unexpected development after British Petroleum (BP), the operator of the project, announced the detection of gas emissions near the floating platform. While official sources have downplayed the severity of the incident, it has raised environmental and economic concerns, with questions regarding its potential impact on the project’s timeline. The GTA project is considered one of the most important energy projects in West Africa.

Detection of the Leak and Ongoing Investigations

According to statements from BP published by Reuters, gas bubbles were detected during routine monitoring operations, prompting the company to launch an immediate investigation to identify the source of the emissions and assess their severity.

The project, with investments worth billions of dollars, is pivotal to the economies of Senegal and Mauritania, with both countries relying on it for substantial revenue and enhanced energy security. However, the appearance of these emissions has raised concerns about their impact on the production timeline, which is now scheduled for mid-2025 after a previous delay.

Although BP has not officially announced any further delays, energy experts believe that any technical disruption at this advanced stage could lead to increased operational costs and a reassessment of certain aspects of the project by investors.

Diverging Positions Between Mauritania and Senegal

Mauritania: Official Downplaying and Precautionary Measures

In Mauritania, authorities have sought to alleviate concerns, with the newspaper Le Quotidien reporting that official sources stated the leak does not pose a substantial risk to the project, considering that such phenomena can occur in offshore gas projects without significant impact.

Mauritanian officials also confirmed that BP’s emergency response teams are closely monitoring the situation, and the company is committed to taking all necessary preventive measures to ensure the safety of operations.

Senegal: Environmental Concerns and Public Pressure

On the other hand, concerns have escalated in Senegal, where environmental organizations have warned that the leak could negatively affect marine life, particularly in coastal areas that thousands of fishermen depend on.

The Dekkbi website noted that civil society is applying pressure on the Senegalese government to demand more transparency regarding the details and severity of the incident. There are concerns that failure to disclose accurate information could lead to a loss of local trust in the project, complicating its long-term implementation.

Potential Economic Impacts

In addition to environmental concerns, economic analysts fear that this incident could lead to a reassessment of production and export plans, potentially affecting expected revenues for both Senegal and Mauritania.

Both governments are relying on the GTA project to boost the local energy sector and increase dependence on African gas, especially as European demand rises following the Russian gas crisis. However, any further delays could disrupt the execution of commercial contracts with international companies, reducing the ability of both countries to achieve their energy goals in the coming years.

Is the Incident a Real Threat to the Project?

Despite media concerns, some experts argue that such gas emissions are not rare in offshore projects and are typically contained quickly without long-term effects.

BP and its partners, such as Kosmos Energy, are continuing to assess the situation and implement preventive measures to ensure the problem does not escalate. BP is expected to issue an official statement in the coming days to clarify the situation, while investors and government officials are awaiting the investigation results to determine the future of this ambitious project.

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Sources:

• British Petroleum (BP)
• Reuters Agency
• Le Quotidien Newspaper (Mauritania)
• Dekkbi Website (Senegal)