BP chooses concept for West African LNG project

BP has confirmed the development concept for the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG project offshore Senegal and Mauritania, the British energy giant announced on Tuesday.

The operator has chosen a gravity-based structure for the second phase of the development, which will have a production capacity of between 2.5 million tonnes and 3 million tonnes.

The asset will include new wells and associated equipment.

LNG liquefaction powered by electricity is being considered on the project to cut down on carbon emissions.

The Greater Tortue Ahmeyim project is located 120 kilometres from the shore in water depths of 2,850 metres.

The first phase of the project is under development, which will export gas to an FPSO provided by Golar LNG. The gas will be processed and separated on the vessel before being delivered to a floating offshore facility located 10 kilometres from the shore.

Production of around 2.3 million tonnes of LNG per year is estimated for when the first phase is complete, which is expected to be in 2023.

BP is the operator of the project alongside independent Kosmos Energy and Société des pétroles du Sénégal and Société Mauritanienne des Hydrocarbures, the NOCs of Senegal and Mauritania, respectively.

“We aim to build on our strong collaboration with our partners, and the governments of Mauritania and Senegal, to further develop a long-term, successful energy hub in West Africa,” said Gordon Birrell, executive vice-president for operations and production of BP.