Senegal-Mauritania: BP hesitates on Phase 2 of GTA gas field

British energy giant BP appears reluctant to implement Phase 2 of the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) gas field, a major project spanning the Senegal-Mauritania maritime border, according to The Africa Report. The hesitation comes on the heels after multiple announced delays in production.

Initially planned for 2022, GTA's production timeline has shifted repeatedly—first to 2023, then to 2024, and now to early 2025. BP attributes the latest postponement to "technical difficulties in developing a project as complex as GTA," according to a company executive speaking to Jeune Afrique.

The delays were previously linked to the late arrival of the floating production, storage, and offloading unit (FPSO), essential for operations. Uncertainty over Phase 2 casts doubt on the project’s long-term viability, despite its potential to transform the region's energy landscape.

This hesitation raises questions about BP’s commitment to expanding its footprint in West Africa, especially as the energy transition reshapes global priorities for oil and gas investments.