Costs are escalating at the 2.5mn t/y first phase of the 5mn t/y BP-led Tortue LNG project on the Mauritania-Senegal maritime border, with the price tag rising 15% to $4.6bn, while the expected start-up has been pushed back from 1H to Q3 2023. This follows a previous 12-month delay (MEES, 15 May 2020).

London-listed Kosmos Energy, minority (27%) partner of BP (56%op), says in a 6 July update that “cost inflation and supplier delays in the current environment together with some scope growth” mean “BP… has informed partners that… Phase 1 project costs are expected to increase.” Mauritania and Senegal state firms have the remaining stakes. (CONTINUED - 1201 WORDS)