President of Republic Oversees the Launch of the Third Edition of the Oil, Gas and Energy Conference
On Tuesday, his Excellency the President of the Republic, Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, supervised, at the International Conference Center “Al-Mourabitoun” in Nouakchott, the launch of the third edition of the Oil, Gas and Energy Conference and Exhibition of the Countries Bordering the Sahel Basin (Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Guinea Conakry), organized by the Ministry of Petroleum, Mines and Energy, under the slogan: “Expanding energy opportunities within the new horizons of Africa”.
The two-day exhibition is part of the implementation of the Ministry of Petroleum, Mines and Energy’s strategy to develop the oil, gas and energy sector, mobilize actors and enhance the investment climate, where participants will discuss the reality and prospects of the energy sector and promising investment opportunities in the region, and value Mauritania’s potential and qualifications to become an integrated regional hub for oil and gas, renewable energy and green hydrogen.
The conference hosts the energy ministers of several countries, representatives of participating ministries and government institutions, as well as investors, international partners, experts, cooperation agencies and higher energy training schools.
About 30 pavilions of companies operating in the field of energy, oil, gas and minerals will participate in the exhibition accompanying the conference, including the Mauritanian Hydrocarbon Company, BP and the National Company for Industry and Mines (SNIM), in addition to the pavilion of the Ministry of Petroleum, Mines and Energy.
After the opening ceremony, His Excellency the President of the Republic toured the various pavilions of the exhibition, where he was given explanations on the experiences, expertise and future plans of the companies participating in the conference working in the field of energy.
The pavilion of the Ministry of Petroleum, Mines and Energy at the exhibition presented the energy vision of Mauritania, within which liquefied natural gas will be exported by 2024, green hydrogen will be exported in 2030, and carbon neutrality will be achieved by 2050.
National companies such as the Mauritanian Hydrocarbon Company, the National Company for Industry and Mines (SNIM) and the participating international companies also presented their development plans and programmes related to various fields of energy, their experiences and investments in these fields.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, BP Executive Vice President of Production and Operations Jordan Beryl said that the company entered six years ago with Mauritania and Senegal in a large and important gas exploitation project, noting that BP is working continuously with the two countries to take this project to safety.
He also said that the company is working to provide easy-to-use, connected and environmentally friendly energy, noting that the company takes into account all issues related to environmental protection and preservation, and works in this context with the concerned authorities.
He added that the works in the first phase of this project amounted to more than 90%, which enables the export of (2.3) million tons of gas annually, noting that the company is working to facilitate the access of these countries to environmentally friendly energy and dispense with traditional sources of energy harmful to the environment.
In his speech, the Secretary-General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, Mr. Mohamed Hamed, referred to the essential role that energy plays in economic and social development, noting that a third of the world’s countries depend on coal to prepare their purposes.
He pointed out that national and international priorities show the importance of obtaining clean energy to preserve the environment, which requires the transition from the use of coal to gas and focusing on renewable energies such as the sun and wind.
He warned that the demand for gas will be large, which requires continuing to invest in gas extraction, noting that Mauritania has great opportunities through its exploitation of its energy sources.
The Secretary-General of the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APO), Mr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, pointed to the need to reduce emissions by focusing on clean energies.
He pointed to the importance of African countries focusing on the development of technology to develop their energy projects, pointing out that there is no development and development without the presence of energy.
For his part, Mr. Marc Crandall, Founder and Chairman of CWP Global, praised Mauritania’s natural resources, especially in the field of gas, green hydrogen and alternative energies, noting that through these resources, Mauritania can make great strides in the field of progress and development.
He added that his foundation is happy to partner with Mauritania and is ready to exploit its experience in the field of mineral resources for the benefit of Mauritania’s development.
The exploitation of these diverse resources will move Mauritania to the ranks of scientifically and technologically advanced countries, he said.
For his part, the CEO of the African Chamber of Energy in South Africa, Mr. N. G. Ayok, praised the efforts made by Mauritania that resulted in the organization of this important energy conference.
Mauritania’s potential, if exploited, will enable it to provide many job opportunities for young Mauritania and neighbouring countries and benefit from its diverse energies in development fields, he said.
He added that this benefit can only be achieved with the cooperation of all and the strengthening of partnerships to achieve the desired progress and prosperity.
The launch ceremony of the third edition of the Conference took place in the presence of His Excellency Prime Minister Mohamed Ould Bilal Messaoud, President of the National Assembly, President of the Constitutional Council, President of the Democratic Opposition Foundation, Minister Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic, Minister in charge of the Office of the President of the Republic, Ministers Advisors to the Presidency of the Republic, members of the Government, the Wali of Nouakchott West, the President of the Nouakchott region, the Mayor of the municipality of Tafragh Zeina, some military and security leaders, and members of the diplomatic corps accredited in Mauritania.