By July 2019, no definite plan for the Banda gas field development in shallow waters of the Senegal (M S G B C) Basin, central offshore Mauritania, had emerged. The authorities reportedly hired the services of French law firm Gide Loyrette Nouel to promote the project. Eight companies had shown interest to participate in the Banda development but the challenge is to identify enough local electricity demand. The Banda development is currently envisaged as a gas-to-wire scenario feeding a power plant around Nouakchott.    On 9 October 2017 it was reported that the Mauritanian authorities had talks with eight companies interested to bid for the Banda gas field development. Mamadou Amadou Kane, responsible for the development of the Banda field at the Ministry of Petroleum, Energy & Mines indicated that he expected four companies to submit firm offers.  On 7 April 2017 it was reported that the Mauritanian authorities plan an auction in the second half of 2017 to award the development of the Banda gas field. Price Waterhouse Cooper is reportedly advising the government on the operation.  In early 2017 the governments of Mauritania, Mali and Senegal held talks on the Banda Gas to Power project. The three countries want to jointly move this project forward as a public-private partnership. The three countries have committed to signing a power purchase agreement over 20 years for the full output of the planned 300 MW power plant. The power purchase agreement will pave the way for a bid round in which the industry partners for the project will be selected.  In July 2015, the Mauritanian government was seeking an advisor to find an upstream partner to develop the Banda gas field.    The Banda project came to a standstillÂ  when Tullow withdrew in late 2014 due to the fall in the oil price.    The Banda field will supply gas to a power plant to be built in two phases: first 180 MW, then 120 MW. The project also entails transmissionÂ  infrastructure for electricity distribution within Mauritania and exports to Mali and Senegal. Up to 60% of the generated power could be exported.    Gas consumption of the power plant is pegged at 60 MMcf/d with the two phases on stream. Based on proved reserves of 590 Bcf, the field should be able to supply the power plant for over 20 years.    Â Banda is a significant gas discovery with associated oil made in September 2002, located approximately 20km east of the Chinguetti producing oil field. The Banda field lies in water depth ranging in between 200-400m.
Mauritania (Senegal (M.S.G.B.C.) B.) Chinguetti