British multinational oil and gas company, British Petroleum (BP), has left the Senegalese Yakaar-Teranga natural gas field following disagreements with the country's government over the utilization of the commodity, as per statements from Senegal's Minister of Oil and Energy Antoine Felix Diome.
"We didn’t agree with BP on the daily production capacity, on the commercial strategy or on the date of the first gas delivery. BP favored exports, while we want to develop the gas for the domestic market," Diome was quoted by the media as saying.
Diome emphasized that the Yakaar-Teranga gas field, holding a total of approximately 25 trillion cubic feet of gas, plays a crucial role in the Sanegal's gas-to-power strategy. This aims to enhance electrification in Senegal and reduce fuel prices, according to media reports.
Moreover, the minister pointed out that Senegal and BP disagreed on the development timeline for the site. The government planned to speed up the development for gas delivery by 2026, while the company set the deadline for 2028, according to the media outlet.
"Senegal can’t wait that long," Diome was cited as saying.
In addition, the minister reportedly highlighted that BP relinquished its stake without any "financial compensation."
Meanwhile, another shareholder, the United States' Kosmos Energy company, increased its stake in the project from 30% to 90%, while the Senegalese state-owned enterprise Petrosen plans to eventually acquire a majority interest in the field, the report said.
Senegal is actively seeking a third partner for a 34% stake in the production phase, according to the outlet.
The Senegalese government's commitment to utilizing its gas resources to address local needs aligns with the viewpoint expressed by Omar Ibrahim, the head of the African Petroleum Producers' Organization, who, in July, urged African nations to to retain much of the oil and gas they currently export for domestic consumption.
This perspective on the use of African resources was echoed by Sim Tshabalala, the head of South Africa's Standard Bank Group, who, in conversation with local media, stressed that African countries have both the right and responsibility to develop their natural resources and economies for the benefit of their people.