Senegal is aiming to prioritize Africa in its future gas contracts, emphasizing regional development over solely exporting to Europe, according to senior government officials and industry experts who outlined the country’s strategic vision for gas development.
Amadou Woury Diallo, Senior Engineer at the Ministry of Energy, Petroleum and Mines of Senegal, emphasized the importance of focusing on African markets. “We must focus on the African market, not just exports to the EU. Future gas contracts should put Africa at the center, as gas is essential for developing our countries. The most important thing is tracking gas throughout the value chain. Without knowing where it goes, profits cannot be realized,” Diallo said.
Dr. Riverson Oppong, Africa Director of SPE, expanded on Diallo’s comments, stating: “We need to sit down with the NOCs of other MSGBC countries to share technical expertise and experience, driving the development of projects along the coast.” He added that the government is interested in gas revenues to support Senegal’s development and noted that collaboration in the gas sector is crucial, with the Nigeria-Morocco pipeline serving as proof of successful regional cooperation.
Sokhna Diarra Ndiaye, In-Country Operations Specialist at bp, outlined technical challenges of efficient gas production management. Drawing from her experience working on the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim gas project, Ndiaye said: “You must manage natural challenges such as reservoir behavior and the risks of hydrate formation in deepwater, which requires a strong flow-assurance system. Operational excellence is equally essential, from equipment reliability to skilled personnel, and it is important to embed this culture into all processes so every pillar of the value chain is clearly understood.”
On gas transformation, Aline Tamba, Business Development Officer at Technip Energies, outlined the company’s approach to processing GTA gas. “Gas is the cornerstone of our economy. It must be processed properly. This involves separating gas from condensates and liquids, removing sulfuric acid and performing fractionation to produce derivatives like propane and butane. The gas must also be mercury-free. Finally, we compress it so it is ready for use,” she said.
Source: energycapitalpower.com