Location:

Mauritania

Date:

2022-2023

Background:

A Petroleum and Gas Master Plan was created to guide the future development of Mauritania's oil and gas sector, to monetize project development and allow for the expansion of its associated supply chain.

The official presentation of the Petroleum and Gas Master Plan in May 2022 provided essential background information and a framework from which various monetization scenarios were proposed. The plan outlines multiple onshore and offshore development options for gas utilization, including the necessary infrastructure.

To better understand and evaluate the key environmental, social, economic and security risks and impacts of implementing the Gas Master Plan, a Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA) was commissioned.

Services Provided:

Ciera conducted a strategic environmental assessment to analyze the environmental and social impacts of various scenarios for current and future activities outlined in the Gas Master Plan, including major projects.

The assessment identified positive and negative, direct and indirect, cross-border and cumulative impacts of offshore and onshore development in Mauritania, highlighting opportunities to enhance positive effects to support informed decision-making.

A key aspect of the SESA process was engaging with stakeholders to ensure that key concerns about oil and gas development in Mauritania were raised, addressed, and valued.

One key outcome of the SESA was the development of a Strategic Environmental and Social Management Plan (SESMP). This plan outlined specific management actions to address environmental and social issues identified through the SESA. The SESMP will help strengthen Mauritania's environmental and socio-economic governance, minimize associated environmental and social risks while promoting sustainable long-term development of the oil and gas sector.