bp signed a MoU with the Government of Mauritania under which it will deliver an innovative program exploring the potential for large-scale production of green H₂ in the country. Building on bp’s existing strong relationships with the country, the agreement could be an important step towards the development of significant green H₂ production in Mauritania.

The MoU was signed in a meeting alongside COP27, by the President of Mauritania, His Excellency Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, H.E. Abdessalam Ould Mohamed Saleh, Minister of Petroleum, Mines and Energy for the Government of Mauritania, bp’s chief executive Bernard Looney, bp’s executive vice president of gas and low carbon energy, Anja-Isabel Dotzenrath, bp’s executive vice president of production and operations Gordon Birrell and bp’s senior vice president for Mauritania and Senegal Emil Ismayilov.

Under the agreement, bp will carry out several studies to evaluate the technical and commercial feasibility of producing green H₂ in Mauritania. Green H₂ is produced by the electrolysis of water, powered by renewable energy.

“We are already developing one of the world’s most innovative gas projects with the support of the Mauritanian government. And we now intend to expand our partnership into low carbon energy by exploring the potential for a world-leading green hydrogen development, which could position Mauritania at the forefront of the energy transition,” said Anja-Isabel Dotzenrath, bp’s executive vice president of gas and low carbon energy.

bp will initially carry out a data collection campaign with studies assessing the suitability of the wind and solar resources in selected locations for large-scale renewable power generation and green H₂ production.

Anja-Isabel Dotzenrath, bp’s executive vice president of gas and low carbon energy said, “We are already developing one of the world’s most innovative gas projects with the support of the Mauritanian government. And we now intend to expand our partnership into low carbon energy by exploring the potential for a world-leading green hydrogen development, which could position Mauritania at the forefront of the energy transition. Together with the Mauritanian Government, we will now work to understand how green hydrogen could best be delivered, applying our technical skills and expertise to help unlock the country’s clean energy potential.”

bp and Mauritania already have a long-standing relationship. bp and partners, including Mauritania’s Société Mauritanienne Des Hydrocarbures, are now working toward the completion of the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim Phase 1 liquefied natural gas (LNG) project. The development of this innovative offshore project on the border of Mauritania and Senegal was approved in 2018. It is set to produce around 2.3 MMtpy of LNG, with sufficient resources to support production for over 20 years. Earlier this year, bp also announced the signature of an Exploration and Production Sharing Contract for the BirAllah gas resource in Mauritania.