Gas

Gas from GTA Phase 1 is being introduced to the GTA FPSO. (Image source: African Energy Chamber)

The Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) offshore Mauritania and Senegal sees first gas flow to its floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel before its commissioning begins

A project by bp, gas resources from GTA runs 2,850 m underwater, making it one of the deepest offshore developments in Africa. Once fully commissioned, GTA Phase 1 is expected to produce around 2.3 million tonnes of LNG per year. 

“This is a fantastic landmark for this important megaproject.  First gas flow is a material example of supporting the global energy demands of today and reiterates our commitment to help Mauritania and Senegal develop their natural resources,” said Gordon Birrell, EVP production & operations.  

“Congratulations to the project and production teams for delivering this project and for always keeping safe operations at the heart of what they do.

“Africa’s significance in the global energy system is growing, and these nations now have enhanced roles to play. Congratulations to the project and production teams for delivering this project and for always keeping safe operations at the heart of what they do. Thank you to the entire GTA team, our partners and host governments for this tremendous achievement,” he said.  

Gas from GTA Phase 1 is being introduced to the GTA FPSO approximately 40 kilometres offshore, where water, condensate and impurities are removed. From there, it will be transferred via pipeline to a floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) vessel located 10 kilometres offshore, where it will be cryogenically cooled, liquefied and stored before being transferred to LNG carriers for export. Some of the gas will be allocated to help meet growing energy demand in the two host countries.  

“With this milestone, Mauritania and Senegal take a major step towards an exciting new chapter as gas-exporting nations. I am proud of the relationships we continue to strengthen in both countries. Without the resilience and dedication of the bp team, as well as our partners, host governments and of course the people of Mauritania and Senegal, none of this would have been possible,” said Dave Campbell, SVP Mauritania and Senegal.  

Arcius Energy will begin operations in Egypt. (Image source: Aricus Energy)

Building an effective gas portfolio to sustain market competition, ADNOC-wing, XRG, and energy major, bp, have reached financial close on their new joint venture (JV), Arcius Energy, an international natural gas platform

Launched in February, the JV is backed by XRG's (49%) technical prowess and bp's (51%) long-standing development track records. 

Besides ADNOC, bp had previously entered a venture with another Abu Dhabi-based company, Masdar, to advance plans of a multi-phase green hydrogen (gH2) project in Egypt. 

Unlocking lower-carbon transition fuel

Arcius Energy will begin operations in Egypt across two development concessions, as well as exploration agreements. The country is playing a major role in developing a gas hub in the eastern Mediterranean. 

Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, executive chairman of XRG, said, “The formation of Arcius Energy marks an exciting new chapter in our long-standing partnership with bp, and fully aligns with XRG’s objectives to accelerate the transformation of energy systems and build a world-scale integrated gas and chemicals portfolio to meet rising global demand. This progressive partnership will unlock a lower-carbon transition fuel to build a future where smarter, cleaner and more affordable energy is accessible for Egypt and the world."

Murray Auchincloss, chief executive of bp, said, “Arcius Energy brings together the strengths of our two companies to create a dynamic new platform for international growth in natural gas in the region. ADNOC, and now XRG, is a trusted partner, who we have worked with successfully for over five decades. Together, we can continue to build on bp’s 60 years of technical expertise and delivery of safe and efficient operations in Egypt – a hub for new opportunities to build out a highly competitive gas portfolio in the region.”

Senior Arcius Energy leadership were also appointed as part of the company’s formation. Naser Saif Al Yafei was appointed as Chief Executive Officer while Katerina Papalexandri was appointed as Chief Financial Officer. Both executives, from ADNOC and bp respectively, bring decades of experience in the energy sector.

The tenders are targeted for the Moroccan side. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

As part of 2025 Action Plan by the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM), Morocco has launched tenders for Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline

Targeted for the pipelines on the Moroccan side, these tenders cover the initial phases of the project. Besides Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal are also included in the first phase. 

A private company is set to be established with an objective to supervise project construction, operation and maintenance.

Far-reaching project

Morocco covers 1,672 kilometers of the 5,600 km-long pipeline that will also connect the Maghreb Europe Gas Pipeline and the European gas network. 

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited deployed the first compressor station for the far-reaching project which is set to motion across Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Ghana. A second round of memoranda of understanding last year expanded the pipeline network to include Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia and Benin. 

Africa aims to be competitive in a dynamic international gas market. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

At AOW: Investing in African Energy held in Cape Town form 7-10 October, a dedicated panel discussion considered how the continent can secure its future in a changing landscape

Specifically, the session was dedicated to the role of gas, with the pipeline of associated projects in the continent never being stronger. However, if Africa is to be competitive in a dynamic international gas market, it must ensure that it offers value. This means shaping an offer that meets the financial and environmental sustainability of stakeholders; gas investment propositions must be relevant and future-proof or global capital will not be forthcoming.

“Natural gas is at the centre of what we are doing in Africa,” commented Mario Bello, head of sub-Saharan Africa region at Eni. “It’s the cleanest fossil fuel, producing fewer emissions than coal, so it plays an important role as we transition to renewables… Floating LNG is the key to unlocking the region’s gas potential, making it easier and faster to develop offshore resources.”

A stable investment environment

Meanwhile, Paul Eardley-Taylor, head of oil & gas, southern Africa at Standard Bank, considered the financing challenge that remains a significant hurdle for projects. He emphasised the need for bankable projects that address investor concerns, particularly around sovereign risk. He also drew attention to the transformative potential of large-scale LNG projects and smaller, domestically-focused gas ventures, labelling the impact they could have in African markets “incalculable”.

Stressing the importance of a stable investment climate to attract international capital, Equinor’s senior vice president for Africa, Nina Birgitte Koch, said, “CO2 is the key criteria. It’s not just a ‘nice to have’ any more. I don’t think it’s possible to get capital to a big LNG project unless it’s highly competitive when it comes to CO2."

Tshepo Mokoka, Group COO of South Africa’s Central Energy Fund (CEF), raised the call for government intervention to address market failures and unlock investment. He outlined CEF's role in enabling critical gas infrastructure projects, such as the Romp pipeline and LNG import terminals. “We need to solve the market failure,” Mokoka surmised, highlighting the need for government-backed gas offtake agreements and risk-sharing mechanisms to attract private capital.

ExxonMobil’s executive director global, LNG marketing, Deri Irawan, emphasised the importance of a holistic approach to project development, considering not just the technical and economic aspects but also the social and political landscape. He commented on the need for strong partnerships and stakeholder engagement to ensure long-term project success. “It is insufficient to just bring a commodity to the doorstep. You also need to unlock that value chain.”

Gianluca Ciricugno, Africa director, enterprise customer solution at Baker Hughes, took the opportunity to stress the need for a long-term vision and collaboration between governments, investors, and technology providers. He urged, “It requires a broader vision, probably government and all the people around the table, with a long-term approach… and not just four-year terms.”