BP along with joint venture partners Kosmos Energy today unveiled plans for a long-distance learning centre in Nouakchott, designed to be used for training and national capability building in the oil and gas sector. The multi-million dollar centre is expected to open in 2019 and will be designed in close partnership with the Ministry of Petroleum, Energy and Mines.

Bernard Looney, BP Upsteam chief executive officer, commented: 
“BP is honoured to be able to support the building of this fantastic centre. Together with our partners, we have been working closely with the Government of Mauritania to develop this project as a way of ensuring Mauritanian talent is developed for the growing oil and gas sector.” Mr Looney added “We see a bright future for Mauritania’s energy industry and are truly honoured to be able to play a part in putting Mauritania, and national skills and capability, firmly on the map for oil and gas excellence.”

As well as providing financial and project management support for the building of the centre, BP plans to offer selected training courses once the centre has been opened.

His Excellency Mohamed Abdel Vetah, Minister of Petroleum, Energy and Mines, added: 
“This commitment by BP and partners is an example of the positive impact Mauritania’s oil and gas industry stands to have in terms of the development of local skills and employment opportunities. It also highlights that our nation is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for international investment by responsible multinational companies. I welcome BP’s initiative in establishing this important training centre.”

Mr Looney also announced a number of other training and capability initiatives on behalf of BP Mauritania, in consultation with the Ministry of Petroleum, Energy and Mines – including a partnership with the Ecole Superieure Polytechnique in Nouakchott which will begin in 2018 with a donation of specialist laboratory equipment and postgraduate scholarships.

Other programmes include the continuation of the BP Excellence Scholarhip programme, which is currently supporting 10 students on four-year graduate programmes in France, Tunisia and Morocco; and ongoing English language training for 50 government employees, given the
importance of this skill in the global oil and gas industry.

Furthermore, BP is finalising a range of social investment activities designed to promote education and economic development for the communities closest to its Greater Tortue Ahmeyim project, and will continue to work with local officials, community organisations and civil society on the development and launch of these activities in 2018.