- Fearing Trump, LGBTQ Americans out in force for vote
- Apple to let iPhone users in Europe delete its App Store
- Tebogo tops 200m, Wanyonyi on fire in mixed night for Olympic champs
- Israel in Gaza talks in Egypt as fighting rages
- Combining climate measures key to slashing emissions: study
- Harris to formally accept Democratic nomination
- England's Hull out in front after first round of Women's British Open
- Ingebrigtsen claims revenge on Hocker in Lausanne 1500m
- World's second largest diamond found in Botswana
- US Open draw raises prospect of Sinner-Alcaraz rematch
- Smith edges England ahead in first Test against Sri Lanka
- Venezuela high court confirms Maduro's reelection after fraud claims
- 'Crazy love': Afghans overjoyed to watch star cricketers on home turf
- Putin accuses Ukraine of trying to attack Kursk nuclear plant
- Nestle CEO Schneider to step down after eight years at helm
- Pakistan top court amends religious freedom ruling after protests
- Stocks sputter ahead of Fed chief's speech
- Nepal lifts ban on video-sharing platform TikTok
- Bangladesh revokes diplomatic passport of ex-PM Hasina
- O'Connor romps to Vuelta win, takes significant lead
- Indonesia scraps plan to change election rules after protests
- Brook steadies England after Asitha Fernando strikes for Sri Lanka
- Hamilton backs Grand Prix in Africa amid Rwanda talks
- Truce hopes fade as Gaza rocked by Israeli bombardment, battles
- Mpox vaccine maker says 'better prepared' than in 2022
- Dyche fears Everton could have just 14 first-team players for Spurs trip
- Canada rail freight shut down threatens to disrupt economy
- Harris to take star turn at Democratic convention
- US existing home sales rise in July, ending downward trend
- Unbeaten Verstappen eyes 'very close' Dutch Grand Prix
- Protests as rebuilt tower opens at German church with Nazi links
- A divide opens in Ukraine over giving up land for peace
- Hammers boss Lopetegui will be glad to see transfer window shut
- Leverkusen coach Alonso says Bayern 'favourites' in Bundesliga
- Cannon-Brookes: Australia's billionaire climate warrior
- War cook: Ukrainian soldier-influencer's winning recipe
- Cosplay and queues at Germany gamers gathering
- Verstappen eyes 'very close' Dutch Grand Prix
- Play resumes on second day of England-Sri Lanka first Test
- Taiwan sentences eight soldiers for spying for China
- PSG coach Luis Enrique plays down prospect of more new signings
- Key Indian hospital ends strike but doctor rape protests rage
- Key Indian hospital ends stike but doctor rape protests rage
- Djokovic targets Slam record at US Open, Sinner under cloud
- Ceasefire hopes fade as Gaza fighting rages
- Indonesians protesting election law changes clash with police
- Hurzeler backs record-signing Rutter to be a 'big, big' player at Brighton
- Stock markets buoyed by US rate cut hopes
- England to host Zimbabwe in 2025, Lord's to stage first women's Test in 2026
- India's Modi urges peace ahead of Ukraine visit
Production starts at Senegal's first offshore oil field
Senegal joined the club of oil-producing countries on Tuesday as Australian group Woodside Energy announced that production had started in the west African country's first offshore project.
While Senegal's fossil fuel output is not expected to be as high as that of bigger producers such as Nigeria, there are hopes the oil and gas industry will bring billions of dollars in revenue to the country and contribute to transforming its economy.
"This is a historic day for Senegal and for Woodside," said the company's chief executive, Meg O'Neill, calling the extraction of "first oil" from the Sangomar field "a key milestone".
The floating facility is moored about 100 kilometres (60 miles) offshore. The vessel has a storage capacity of 1.3 million barrels, Woodside said.
The deepwater project aims to produce 100,000 barrels of oil per day. The field also contains natural gas.
Woodside has an 82-percent stake in the deepwater project with the remainder held by Senegal's state-owned energy company Petrosen.
The discovery of oil and gas fields in 2014 raised great hopes for the developing country, with state-owned energy firm Petrosen expecting the sector to generate more than $1 billion per year over the next three decades.
Petrosen general manager Thierno Ly said the start of production marked "a new era" for Senegal's "industry and economy".
"We have never been so well positioned for opportunities for growth, innovation and success in the economic and social development of our nation," he said.
The Phase 1 development of the Sangomar field comprises 23 wells, 21 of which have been drilled.
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who took office in April, has announced the renegotiation of oil and gas contracts as part of reforms he promised during the election campaign.
- Climate change -
Senegal also has a liquefied natural gas project at its border with Mauritania and production there could begin in the third quarter.
The Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG project -- which involves British energy giant BP, US firm Kosmos Energy, Mauritanian oil and gas company SHM and Petrosen -- aims to produce around 2.5 million tonnes of LNG per year.
Several African countries are pursuing oil and gas projects despite pressure on nations worldwide to phase out fossil fuels, which generate climate-heating greenhouse gases.
The African nations concerned argue it is unfair to impose such restrictions on them when the West has become rich from fossil fuels.
At the same time, the continent is already bearing the brunt of rising temperatures and changing rain patterns, which the United Nations says are "threatening human health and safety, food and water security and socio-economic development in Africa".
A.Rodriguezv--AMWN