In January, U.K. oil giant BP announced it had started producing gas from the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) project, a natural gas production platform it operates off the coast of Mauritania and Senegal. A month later, Mauritanian media reported that a gas leak had been detected at one of the wells.
In a statement shared with Mongabay by email, BP’s press office said: “Given the low rate of release and the nature of the gas and condensate, the environmental impact is currently expected to be negligible.”
The company also said it has a team in place to stop the leak. “We have mobilised specialised equipment and personnel to support the clean-up efforts and, as always, the safety of people and the environment remains our top priority,” it said.
On Feb. 25, Mauritania’s environment ministry said it’s “conducting a thorough investigation to contain the situation and mitigate any potential environmental impacts.”
The GTA project is being co-developed by BP, U.S.-based Kosmos Energy, and the national oil companies of Senegal and Mauritania. Mongabay previously reported that scientists have raised concerns the offshore platform would pierce the world’s largest cold-water coral reef, which is likely to have a negative impact on the presence of fish in the region. Coral reefs are important habitats for fish reproduction and shelter a diversity of marine organisms: at least 150 bottom-dwelling species inhabit this reef, according to a study. Coral reefs are also very productive carbon sinks and protect shorelines from the sea.
However, three weeks since the leak was first reported, repairs are still ongoing, according to BP’s statement, implying the incident isn’t over yet.
This has frustrated the Mauritanian media, as well as artisanal fishermen in Senegal, who, according to a representative, weren’t informed about the spill.
“It was the Mauritanian press that informed us, but nobody warned us. We have the impression that the authorities want to hide the truth from us,” said Mamadou Sarr, chair of the environment and resource protection committee of the Saint-Louis artisanal fishermen’s association. “I’m afraid that the fish will disappear even further with this leak. But we don’t know anything about it, we’re not informed. For us, no fish means misery.”
In Senegal, fish constitutes almost 70% of the animal protein people consume. It’s a precious resource in a region that’s facing rising food insecurity, intensive fishing and global warming impacts.
In a statement, Aliou Ba, oceans campaigns director at Greenpeace Africa, expressed alarm at the situation.
“BP is once again demonstrating its total disregard for marine life and coastal communities. This leak from the GTA field cannot be considered an accident, it is simply the predictable result of an industry that puts its profits ahead of our fragile ecosystems and the survival of local communities,” Ba said.
Banner image: Fishermen returning from their fishing trip in Saint-Louis, Senegal. Image by Elodie Toto/Mongabay.
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