Gas find will test Mauritania president's two-term vow

Significance

The 33,000 square kilometres of acreage includes the Tortue field, which is estimated to contain more than 15 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of gas. The deposit offers both countries the chance to become substantial offshore hydrocarbons exporters for the first time.

Impacts

• The project will transform Mauritania from a small-scale hydrocarbons producer into an exporter on international scale.
• Liquefied natural gas (LNG) will diversify Mauritania's export and fiscal revenue base -- currently reliant on iron ore, gold and fish.
• Exports will be the priority, but electricity demand is rising in Mauritania and Senegal; some gas may be used to fuel power generation.