BP picks KOTUG and African firm for work at its largest gas project

UK-headquartered energy giant BP has hired two companies, Dutch towage services provider Kotug and its Senegalese partner Maritalia, for the provision of marine services off the coasts of Mauritania and Senegal at a gas project that is said to be the biggest one in the oil major’s portfolio.

Following a tender process, KOTUG International and its local Senegalese partner Maritalia got the marine services job on the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) liquefied natural gas (LNG) project offshore Mauritania and Senegal. While the former will deploy four RAstar 32m azimuthing stern drive (ASD), IMO Tier-III compliant tugboats to support the offshore hub terminal, FLNG, and FPSO operations, the latter will fulfill local content requirements.

BP operates the project with partners: Kosmos Energy, National Oil Companies Société des Pétroles du Sénégal (PETROSEN), and Société Mauritanienne Des Hydrocarbures (SMH). The deal KOTUG and Maritalia secured is described as a long-term fixed-term contract, with extension options, enabling them to provide marine services to one of Africa’s deepest subsea developments.

Ard-Jan Kooren, President and CEO of KOTUG, commented: “We are honoured to be selected for this prestigious project and to partner with Maritalia S.A. to provide essential marine services for the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim gas project. This supports our extensive track record of operating for (F)LNG projects and we are proud to add another (F)LNG project to our existing portfolio.

“This collaboration not only underscores our commitment to delivering world-class marine solutions but also highlights our dedication to fostering local talent and contributing to the sustainable development of the Mauritanian and Senegalese economies. By investing in local knowledge and skills, we aim to create long-lasting value and ensure that our operations benefit the communities we serve.”

Moreover, KOTUG Senegal underlines its commitment to developing and optimizing local content, contributing to the employment and training of Mauritanian and Senegalese nationals, as illustrated by an initiative that includes collaboration with local suppliers and the use of local goods and services.

“A significant investment will be made in a technical knowledge transfer plan, where selected local candidates will be recruited, educated and trained intensively. These candidates will be trained to progress through the ranks until all positions on board the vessels are held by local crew, including all officers,” outlined KOTUG.

The Greater Tortue Ahmeyim gas project will produce gas from an ultra-deepwater subsea system and FPSO, which will process the gas. The gas will be exported through around a 35 km pipeline to an FLNG facility to be transferred to LNG carriers. To this end, Golar LNG’s FLNG Gimi arrived at the project location in January 2024 and the F

By Melisa Čavčić