An interview with Abdoulaye Niang, bp project support manager Senegal | Who we are

Abdoulaye Niang, bp project support manager Senegal

Abdoulaye has worked at the frontline of GTA’s hub terminal development.

When it comes to GTA phase 1, Abdoulaye is in it for the long-haul. The geological engineer and Senegalese national has been working on field activities for the project since their start in 2019 and intends to be there when the gas is expected to begin flowing in 2023.

He takes particular pride in the impact it is already having in Senegal, where the project is providing opportunities for job creation, work for local companies and upskilling the workforce.

Looking ahead, Abdoulaye believes the project will create a better future for the people of his country and neighboring Mauritania by generating revenue, contributing to domestic energy supply, helping to lower their energy costs, and providing training in marine and civil works, as well as offshore energy careers.

“When the project is delivered and the impact is seen by the Senegalese people, I will be proud to tell my children that I took part in its creation,” he says.

There’s still a lot of work to do to get there, however. A graduate of the Earth Science Institute of Dakar University, Abdoulaye’s role on GTA Phase 1 is to support the construction manager, the project general manager and the head of country in all aspects of the project, from early bridging and land reclamation activities to the current construction and installation of the caissons, through to the eventual completion of the offshore infrastructure. His job is to help ensure that all work is conducted safely, with due regard to the environment and in cooperation with local communities.

“As the project progresses, my role evolves and I really enjoy that variety in my work,” he says.

He also loves its complexity and scale. “It’s a challenging project that not only requires close collaboration on site in Senegal, but with some activities taking place in China and Norway, international integration is also critical to success,” he says. “I’m impressed by the teamwork because it’s not only about what we are doing, but how we are delivering it to bp’s values”