BP, Kosmos to explore Mauritanian field with LNG potential
BP and Kosmos Energy have signed an exploration and production-sharing contract for the offshore BirAllah gas field in Mauritania, the country's ministry of petroleum, mines and energy said on October 11, noting that the deposit could underpin LNG exports.
BirAllah contains over 50 trillion ft3 of gas, according to the ministry, which would make it significantly larger than the nearby BP-led Great Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) LNG development shared between Mauritania and Senegal. GTA's first phase is on track to start up in 2023 and yield 2.5mn metric tons/year of LNG.
The 30-month contract signed with Mauritania's government gives the companies enough time to explore the field and draw up a development plan. The ministry said the aim was that a final investment decision could be taken on the project in the first half of 2025.
Production from BirAllah will "provide sufficient gas resources to realise gas liquefaction options," the ministry said. BP and Kosmos have said before that BirAllah could support 10mn mt/yr of LNG capacity.