The significant Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) gas project, jointly managed by the American firm Kosmos Energy and spanning the maritime border between Senegal and Mauritania, is once again a central topic. The Texas-based company has issued new details regarding the ramp-up of this cross-border field, which commenced commercial production for its first phase in early 2025. This initiative is closely monitored in Dakar, where Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has made the effective management of extractive resources a defining policy of his administration.
A cross-border project vital for Dakar and Nouakchott
Established after extensive negotiations between the two capitals, the GTA field is situated along the shared maritime boundary of Senegal and Mauritania. The agreed-upon revenue sharing is equitable, with both nations participating on an equal footing—a rare arrangement within West Africa’s extractive industry. Kosmos Energy leads the development alongside bp, the long-standing permit operator, while the national companies Petrosen and the Société Mauritanienne des Hydrocarbures (SMH) represent their respective states’ interests.
The initial phase utilizes a floating liquefaction unit (FLNG) designed to process gas for export to international markets. The targeted initial capacity is approximately 2.3 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas per year. Kosmos reports that production is steadily advancing towards its nominal plateau, following the successful technical commissioning completed last year and the subsequent dispatch of the first cargo shipments.
Kosmos energy navigating senegalese political expectations
Since the Bassirou Diomaye Faye – Ousmane Sonko administration took office in March 2024, the project’s trajectory has been under intense scrutiny in Dakar. The Senegalese head of government has consistently emphasized his intention to renegotiate or audit contracts inherited from the previous regime, which are perceived as unbalanced and detrimental to the state. This stance has introduced a period of uncertainty for international operators, with Kosmos and bp at the forefront.
The American group’s recent communication aims precisely to offer reassurance regarding the operational timeline. Kosmos underscores the stability of its partnership with the authorities of both countries and confirms ongoing technical discussions concerning subsequent development phases. Nevertheless, the company has scaled back some of its ambitions, as several financial analysts have noted a discrepancy between initial objectives and the volumes actually produced during the early months of operation.
Crucially, the full operationalization of the GTA field will generate substantial budgetary revenues for both states. For Senegal, projections anticipate several hundred billion CFA francs in annual income once the project reaches full capacity. These funds are designated to replenish the Intergenerational Fund and the national budget, two cornerstone mechanisms of the natural resource management framework adopted in Dakar.
Phase 2, local content, and energy sovereignty
Beyond the initial phase, attention is now shifting towards the project’s expansion. GTA’s Phase 2, long discussed to potentially increase capacity to around 3 million annual tonnes, remains contingent on an agreement between industrial partners and governments. Kosmos has indicated that studies are progressing, though without a firm calendar commitment at this juncture. The prevailing international LNG prices and the operator’s stated debt reduction strategy also influence this equation.
For both Dakar and Nouakchott, the issue of local content remains a sensitive priority. The Senegalese government has expressed its desire to see more national enterprises integrated across the value chain, from industrial subcontracting to logistical services. Ousmane Sonko has also raised the possibility of directing a portion of the gas production towards domestic supply, particularly to fuel thermal power plants and alleviate the country’s energy costs.
However, the authorities’ room for maneuver is framed by existing contracts and the imperative to maintain the attractiveness of the MSGBC sedimentary basin. Several adjacent blocks are still undergoing exploration, and the approach adopted towards Kosmos and bp will serve as a critical signal to potential investors. The credibility of Senegal’s gas ambitions is being determined not only within the FLNG’s engine room but also in the ministerial offices of Dakar.
