Senegal - Mauritania: Tighter controls on GTA after a gas leak

A gas leak detected during the night of 19 to 20 February 2025 in well A02 of the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) gas field, 120 km off the coasts of Senegal and Mauritania, has mobilised the authorities in both countries. BP, the operator in charge of the site, alerted the governments, which reacted by deploying a reinforced surveillance system to contain the incident and protect the marine ecosystem.

The Senegalese Ministry of Energy, Oil and Mines has detailed a multimodal plan including regular overflights by helicopters and drones, real-time underwater monitoring via a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), and satellite surveillance. The last overflight, carried out on 6 March in coordination with Mauritania, revealed "no visible anomalies". The national navies of the two countries also provide a permanent presence to secure the area.

Faced with the environmental risks, the Senegalese government has demanded that BP implement "rigorous management" in line with international standards. The operator has stated that it has identified solutions to repair the leak "as quickly as possible" and is working to implement them. "Permanent underwater surveillance is in place to monitor developments in the situation", the ministry said.

The Senegalese and Mauritanian authorities are working closely together, promising "transparent and clear" communication to keep the public informed. This incident comes at a time when the GTA field, shared between the two nations, is a strategic project for their energy development. While initial reports are reassuring, the absence of any visible impact has yet to be confirmed by in-depth analysis. Senegal and Mauritania are determined to limit the impact of this leak on an already vulnerable marine ecosystem.