Greater Tortue Ahmeyim FLNG Terminal
| Part of the Global Gas Infrastructure Tracker, a Global Energy Monitor project. |
Greater Tortue Ahmeyim FLNG Terminal, also known as GTA LNG, is an LNG export terminal in Mauritania with units that are proposed and operating.
Location
Table 1: Location details
| Name | Location | Coordinates (WGS 84) |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Mauritania[1] | 16.355626, -17.745783 (approximate) |
| Phase 2 | Mauritania[1] | 16.355626, -17.745783 (approximate) |
The map below shows the approximate location of the terminal:
Project Details
Table 2: Infrastructure details
| Name | Facility type | Status | Capacity | Total terminal capacity | Offshore | Associated infrastructure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | export[1] | operating[2] | 2.4 mtpa[3] | 5.4 mtpa | True | – |
| Phase 2 | export[1] | proposed[4] | 3 mtpa[5][6] | 5.4 mtpa | True | – |
Table 3: Cost
| Name | Facility type | Cost | Total known terminal costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | export[1] | US$4,600,000,000[7] | US$9,600,000,000 |
| Phase 2 | export[1] | US$5,000,000,000[8] | US$9,600,000,000 |
Financing
No financing data available.
Table 4: Project timeline
| Name | Facility type | Status | Proposal year | FID year | Construction year | Operating year | Inactive year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | export[1] | operating[2] | 2017[9] | 2018 (FID)[10] | 2019[11] | 2025[12][13][2] | – |
| Phase 2 | export[1] | proposed[4] | 2023[4] | 2024 (Pre-FID)[14] | – | –[15][15] | – |
Ownership
Table 5: Ownership
| Name | Facility type | Status | Owners | Parent companies | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | export[1] | operating[2] | BP PLC [56%]; SMH [7%]; Kosmos Energy [26%]; Petrosen [10%][16][16][16][16] | BP PLC [56.3%]; Kosmos Energy [26.7%]; Government of Senegal [9.9%]; SMH [7.0%]; other [0.1%] | BP[16] |
| Phase 2 | export[1] | proposed[4] | BP PLC [56%]; SMH [7%]; Kosmos Energy [26%]; Petrosen [10%][16][16][16][16] | BP PLC [56.3%]; Kosmos Energy [26.7%]; Government of Senegal [9.9%]; SMH [7.0%]; other [0.1%] | BP[16] |
Table 6: Vessel ownership
| Name | Facility type | Status | Vessel owners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | export[1] | operating[2] | Golar LNG[17] |
| Phase 2 | export[1] | proposed[4] | Golar LNG[17] |
Background
Phase 1
The Greater Tortue Ahmeyim project will produce gas from an ultra-deepwater subsea system and mid-water floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel, which will process the gas, removing heavier hydrocarbon components. The gas will then be transferred to the floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facility, a nearshore hub located on the Mauritania and Senegal maritime border.[18]
The FLNG facility is designed to provide 2.5 million tonnes per annum, with the total gas resources in the field estimated to be around 15 trillion cubic feet. The produced gas will be used for export, as well as for domestic use in both Mauritania and Senegal. The parties will continue to finalize agreements and obtain final regulatory and contract approvals, following which Phase 1 of the development will move into a detailed design and construction phase.[18]
Project execution activities are expected to commence in 1Q 2019. First gas for the project was expected in 2022. Following a competitive process involving all partners, BP Gas Marketing has been selected as the sole buyer for the investor partners’ LNG offtake for Tortue Phase 1. Partners involved include the Mauritanian and Senegalese governments, BP, Kosmos Energy and National Oil Companies Petrosen and SMHPM.[18]
In December 2018, a final investment decision (FID) was taken for Phase 1.[19]
In October 2019 a US$700 million loan for the conversion of the LNG carrier Gimi into an FLNG vessel to serve the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim FLNG Terminal was closed. Participating commercial banks included ABN Amro, ING, Morgan Stanley and Standard Chartered, with the publicly funded Development Bank of Japan also involved.[20]
Construction on the terminal is presumed to have begun in late 2019.[21]
On April 7, 2020, BP declared force majeure due to delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and announced a one-year delay in delivering the project to 2023.[22]
As of October 2021, the total cost of the project was expected to be US$4.6 billion.[23]
In May 2022, Kosmos Energy announced Phase 1 was 75% complete at the end of Q1 2022, and the FLNG vessel was expected to become operational by 2023.[24]
In January 2023, the floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel for the project set out from the Qidong shipyard in China for the project. The Gimi FLNG vessel for the project is under construction at Singapore's Keppel shipyard.[25] The vessels are set to arrive on site in Q4 2023.[26]
According to a February 2023 edition of Global Energy Monitor's Inside Gas, "Sources close to the project have disclosed that the oil and gas major is now caught in the middle of deteriorating relations between the countries and an attendant range of unresolved technical, commercial, and security issues. Among the issues facing the phase two project, potentially to be sited onshore, are poor border controls — particularly in Senegal — that would make the project extremely vulnerable to Islamist militants in neighboring Mali. Sources have suggested that BP will only take a FID on phase two at best after phase one of the project comes online."[27][28]
In September 2023, Upstream reported that the contractor McDermott International, which was to provide a vessel, had withdrawn from the project. BP was working to find a replacement contractor and was in discussion with Allseas.[29] In October 2023, Allseas joined the project.[30]
In January 2024, the FLNG Gimi arrived at the site of the project.[31] The same month, the oil ministries of Mauritania and Senegal said they would begin an audit of the project's costs.[32]
In May 2024, BP was in talks with Golar LNG to fast-track deployment of the long-delayed project. Upstream reported that the FLNG vessel had been ready for commissioning work since February, but was delayed due to technical issues with the floating production, storage, and offloading vessel.[33]
In February 2025, Kosmos Energy confirmed the start of the liquefaction process.[34]
In April 2025, the first LNG shipment was transferred from the Gimi FLNG to LNG carrier British Sponsor.[35]
Phase 2
In September 2022, Senegal's President Macky Sall said that phase 2 of the project would need around $5 billion in investments.[36] FID was originally expected in late 2022 to early 2023.[37]
In February 2023, the development concept for the second phase of the project was confirmed. The project will use a gravity-based structure (GBS), have a total capacity of 2.5-3 mtpa, and be powered by electricity.[25]
The June 2024 GIIGNL report states that, according to the Ministry of Petroleum, Energy, and Mines of Mauritania, construction will begin in 2025 with a planned start year of 2027.[38]
In May 2025, it was reported that Mauritania and Senegal were in negotiations with BP and Kosmos Energy on the second phase development.[39]
Articles and Resources
Additional data
To access additional data, including an interactive map of LNG terminals, a downloadable dataset, and summary data, please visit the Global Gas Infrastructure Tracker on the Global Energy Monitor website.
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 https://www.bp.com/en/global/corporate/news-and-insights/press-releases/bp-announces-final-investment-decision-for-phase-1-of-the-greater-tortue-ahmeyim-lng-development.html.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 https://jpt.spe.org/bp-completes-loading-first-lng-cargo-from-greater-tortue-ahmeyim-phase-1?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=14404127682&gbraid=0AAAAADcmBRju2sJP2hHdijQAuE4YgTl8S&gclid=CjwKCAjw3_PCBhA2EiwAkH_j4uiUHavq20qOuYZi0gFB5EMvEVlx6VTBSiuQWQlv_OGXy4yrZ-wJdxoC58AQAvD_BwE.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/africa-press-releases/golar-lng-reaches-commercial-operations-date-cod-at-greater-tortue-ahmeyim-gta-project-joins-african-energy-mrqb8z9w.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 https://www.bp.com/en/global/corporate/news-and-insights/press-releases/bp-and-partners-progress-concept-for-greater-tortue-ahmeyim-phase-2-to-next-phase-of-evaluation.html.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ (PDF) https://giignl.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/GIIGNL-2023-Annual-Report-July20.pdf.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://www.igu.org/publications-page.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20230129023004/https://energycapitalpower.com/project-spotlight-greater-tortue-ahmeyim-project/. Archived from the original on 29 January 2023.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/fpso-senegal-gas-project-expected-sail-china-site-by-year-end-bp-2022-09-01/.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ (PDF) https://www.bp.com/content/dam/bp/country-sites/en_sn/senegal/home/pdf/greater-tortue-ahmeyim-fact-sheet-english.pdf.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221201235644/https://www.nsenergybusiness.com/projects/greater-tortue-ahmeyim-lng-project. Archived from the original on 01 December 2022.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|archive-date=(help); Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://www.igu.org/igu-reports/2020-world-lng-report.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://lngprime.com/africa/kosmos-bps-tortue-flng-project-75-percent-complete/50937/.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://www.igu.org/resources/lng2023-world-lng-report/.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://www.upstreamonline.com/exclusive/challenged-bp-s-lng-project-offshore-west-africa-hits-the-buffers/2-1-1398967.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 15.0 15.1 https://www.offshore-technology.com/marketdata/oil-gas-field-profile-tortue-phase-2-mauritania-conventional-gas-field-mauritania/?cf-view.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 16.00 16.01 16.02 16.03 16.04 16.05 16.06 16.07 16.08 16.09 https://www.igu.org/resources/2024-world-lng-report/.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 17.0 17.1 https://www.igu.org/igu-reports/2024-world-lng-report.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 BP announces Final Investment Decision for Phase 1 of the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG development, BP, accessed April 2019.
- ↑ "Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG Project". NS Energy Business. Retrieved 2022-05-10.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Gimi FLNG Production Vessel, IJGlobal, accessed May 25, 2020.
- ↑ 2020 World LNG Report, page 102, International Gas Union, April 27, 2020
- ↑ BP issues force majeure to Golar over Tortue Ahmeyim LNG project, Reuters, Apr. 7, 2020
- ↑ "Project Spotlight: Greater Tortue Ahmeyim Project". Energy Capital & Power. 2021-10-20. Retrieved 2022-07-27.
- ↑ "Kosmos: BP's Tortue FLNG project 75 percent complete". LNG Prime. 2022-05-09. Retrieved 2022-05-10.
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 GIIGNL. The LNG Industry: GIIGNL Annual Report 2023. July 14, 2023.
- ↑ LNG Prime Staff (2023-08-07). "Kosmos: Tortue FLNG and FPSO to arrive on location in Q4". LNG Prime. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
- ↑ "Issue 30: India planning LNG turn; BP scales back clean transition; explosive Nord Stream allegations - Global Energy Monitor". Global Energy Monitor. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
- ↑ "Challenged: BP's LNG project offshore West Africa hits the buffers". Upstream Online | Latest oil and gas news. 2023-02-06. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
- ↑ "BP scrambles to find replacement at LNG project after McDermott pulls out". Upstream Online | Latest oil and gas news. 2023-09-26. Retrieved 2023-10-05.
- ↑ Staff, LNG Prime (2023-10-05). "Allseas' giant vessel to complete pipelay job for BP's Tortue FLNG project". LNG Prime. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
- ↑ GIIGNL. The LNG Industry: Annual GIIGNL Report. June 2024.
- ↑ Reed, Ed (2024-01-19). "BP's West African LNG project faces scrutiny amid delays". Energy Voice. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
- ↑ Esau, Iain (2024-05-28). "BP in talks to fast-track critical work on FLNG vessel at challenging Africa project". upstreamonline.com. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
- ↑ Nikše, Dragana (2025-02-10). "First LNG produced at BP's huge project offshore West Africa". Offshore Energy. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
- ↑ "BP Completes Loading First LNG Cargo From Greater Tortue Ahmeyim Phase 1". JPT. 2025-04-17. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
- ↑ "Phase 2 of Senegal LNG project needs $5 bln - president". Reuters. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
- ↑ The LNG Industry: GIIGNL Annual Report. GIIGNL. May 2022.
- ↑ GIIGNL. The LNG Industry: Annual GIIGNL Report. June 2024.
- ↑ "Mauritania Keen to Secure Tortue LNG Deal With BP, Kosmos". Energy Intelligence. 2025-05-15. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
