The first shipment of liquefied natural gas (LNG) for export, as part of Phase 1 of the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) project, has been loaded. BP made the announcement yesterday, Thursday, April 17, in a press release.

BP oil company announced on Thursday, April 17, that it had successfully loaded the first-ever cargo of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as part of Phase 1 of the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) project, located off the coasts of Mauritania and Senegal. This historic milestone marks the official entry of the two countries among the LNG-exporting nations.

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This loading inaugurates the third major project launched by BP in 2025, as part of the deployment of its energy growth strategy, with ten major projects planned by 2027. It also symbolizes the culmination of extensive work carried out by BP teams, in close collaboration with partners Kosmos Energy, PETROSEN (Senegal), and SMH (Mauritania), as well as the authorities of both countries.

Gordon Birrell, BP’s Executive Vice President of Production & Operations, highly appreciated the achievement.

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“This first cargo from Mauritania and Senegal marks a significant new supply for global energy markets. The start of GTA Phase 1 exports is a significant milestone for BP and its oil and gas businesses, as we celebrate the creation of a new production hub within our global portfolio,” he said.

The LNG was transferred to a carrier from the Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) vessel, anchored 10 kilometers offshore, where the gas was cooled, liquefied, and stored. This complex process illustrates the technical sophistication of the project, considered one of the deepest offshore developments in Africa, with gas resources located at a depth of nearly 2,850 meters.

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Declared a project of strategic national importance by the Senegalese and Mauritanian governments, GTA is designed to produce approximately 2.4 million tonnes of LNG per year. A portion of this production is also intended to supply domestic markets when the infrastructure is ready to accommodate it. “This is a very proud moment for Mauritania and Senegal. Throughout the development of this project, we have established strong relationships with the host governments, local communities, and our partners. We look forward to strengthening these relationships in the years to come,” said Dave Campbell, BP Senior Vice President for Mauritania and Senegal.