BP has reported a gas leak at one of the wells in the offshore Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) project, an extraction site located in open waters between Senegal and Mauritania. The incident was discovered on February 19, and technical teams were immediately mobilised to assess the situation and initiate the necessary repairs.
Ongoing intervention
The British company specified that repair work is in progress and that the leak originates from a specific well. According to BP, the low gas flow rate and the properties of the condensate should limit the environmental impact. However, the group has not provided precise details on the volume of gas released or the expected duration of sealing operations.
Reactions from local stakeholders
The NGO Greenpeace has expressed concern over the incident, calling on BP to publish independent data on the actual extent of the leak and the measures taken to address it. Meanwhile, the Association of Artisanal Line Fishermen of Saint-Louis has denounced a potential risk of marine resource contamination, warning of possible effects on the local economy.
Authorities’ response
The Mauritanian Ministry of Environment has stated that it is working in collaboration with Senegalese authorities to investigate the incident and assess any potential impacts. The objective is to contain the situation and minimise any effects on the marine ecosystem. Meanwhile, production at the site continues as usual at the other wells.
A strategic issue
The GTA project, operated by BP in partnership with Kosmos Energy, Société des Pétroles du Sénégal (Petrosen), and Société Mauritanienne des Hydrocarbures (SMH), plays a key role in the economic development of both countries. With a projected production capacity of 2.5 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas per year, this project is seen as a strategic growth driver for Senegal and Mauritania.
