- The GTA project, a floating liquefied natural gas facility, is a joint venture between BP and Kosmos Energy.
- The project began producing gas earlier this year and aims to deliver 2.3 million metric tons of LNG annually in its first phase.
A gas leak has been detected at the BP-operated Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) gas project, located offshore Senegal and Mauritania. The British energy company and Mauritania’s environment ministry confirmed this on Wednesday.
BP stated that the leak, identified at the GTA A02 well during a planned commissioning test, consists of low-rate subsea gas bubbles and is expected to have a negligible environmental impact. The company assured that production activities at the site would continue undisrupted and that a plan was in place to seal the leak.
“We have a plan to stop the bubbles,” BP told Reuters via email, emphasising that such occurrences are common in the early stages of gas production.
The GTA project, a floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility spanning the maritime border between Senegal and Mauritania, is a joint venture between BP and Kosmos Energy. The project began producing gas earlier this year and aims to deliver 2.3 million metric tons of LNG annually in its first phase.
Mauritania’s environment, oil and fisheries ministries, and Senegalese authorities are investigating the situation to assess and manage it. The ministry stressed that it is working closely with relevant stakeholders to prevent any environmental consequences.
Ahmed Vall Ould Mohameden, an adviser at Mauritania’s oil ministry, reiterated that minor leaks are sometimes expected during the initial production phases of offshore projects. He confirmed that equipment was already en route to the site to repair the issue.
Despite the incident, BP and its partners remain committed to ensuring the project’s safety and operational efficiency. The company’s swift response and ongoing oversight from Mauritanian and Senegalese authorities aim to mitigate any potential risks associated with the leak.