UK-based energy major BP has confirmed that it is moving forward with evaluating the second phase of its Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) project for liquefied natural gas (LNG) production, with it considering using a gravity-based structure (GBS) for the project.
Gravity-based structures are statically connected to the seabed and, according to BP, the GTA structure would include storage for LNG and the basis for the liquefication process. BP, which also makes Castrol lubricant and coolant products, expects the completed expansion to have the capability to produce 2.5 to 3.0 million tonnes of LNG per annum.
The project has the backing of Senegal and Mauritania, with the governments of both countries positioning it as a “National Project of Strategic Importance”. In a press release, the Executive Vice President for Operations and Production at BP, Gordon Birrell, said:
“We aim to build on our strong collaboration with our partners, and the Governments of Mauritania and Senegal, to further develop a long-term, successful energy hub in West Africa. GTA continues to underpin our strategy to develop the most resilient hydrocarbons to help provide energy security today.”
The GTA project is one of Africa’s deepest subsea developments, being under 2.85 kilometres of water. Phase 1 is already under construction 120 kilometres off the coast. Once operational, it is expected to produce over 2 million tonnes of LNG each year. It will do this by transporting the extracted natural gas to an FPSO vessel for processing before being forwarded to LNG facilities floating some 10 kilometres off the coast.
