Golar LNG today announced that its Gimi floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) unit has reached commercial operation date (COD) under its 20-year lease and operating agreement for the BP-operated Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) project offshore Mauritania and Senegal. This major milestone marks a turning point for the offshore gas project, one of the most ambitious and deepest in Africa.
The commercial commissioning of Gimi comes after a successful ramp-up of LNG production, reaching a level equivalent to the annual contracted volumes of around 2.4 million tonnes per annum (mtpa), or around 90% of the nominal capacity of 2.7 mtpa. This performance confirms the reliability and efficiency of the floating unit, which delivered its first cargo of LNG in April 2025, following initial production in February. The second and third cargoes were exported in May and early June, while a fourth cargo is currently being loaded. A fifth cargo is scheduled for the beginning of the third quarter, with an estimated 3.5 gross cargoes for the second quarter, according to Kosmos Energy.
The GTA project is being led by BP as operator, alongside Kosmos Energy, Petrosen and SMH. Located around 40 kilometres off the coast of Mauritania and Senegal, the project's floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) unit is designed to process more than 500 million standard cubic feet of gas per day. With gas resources located at water depths of up to 2,850 metres, GTA is positioned as one of the deepest offshore developments on the African continent.
The COD triggers the start of a 20-year lease and operating agreement, unlocking an adjusted EBITDA backlog of around $3 billion for Golar LNG. This achievement underlines the strategic importance of the project for the company and its partners. "We look forward to continuing to work with the operator GTA, BP and its partners Kosmos, PETROSEN and SMH, as well as the Mauritanian and Senegalese authorities, to ensure safe and reliable operations and create value for all stakeholders," said a Golar LNG spokesperson.
The Greater Tortue Ahmeyim project represents a significant step forward for the energy industry in West Africa, reinforcing the position of Mauritania and Senegal as emerging players in the LNG sector. With a robust infrastructure and strong partnerships, GTA is well positioned to meet the growing global demand for liquefied natural gas while generating economic benefits for both countries.