CWP Global has completed the Geological, Geotechnical, Hydrogeological and Bathymetric Studies for the green hydrogen project AMAN in Mauritania.
The initial geological, geotechnical, and hydrogeological assessment was carried out in partnership with RSK Geosciences, with support from the Mauritania-based Magma Group. Separately, the bathymetry survey of Baie du Lévrier was conducted independently from the land-based study, under the supervision of the Mauritanian Ministry of Petroleum, Energy, and Mines.
These studies represent key milestones in advancing the proposed AMAN project and highlight CWP’s dedication to utilizing local expertise and resources. The findings offer valuable insights into Mauritania’s geological and hydrological conditions, helping to shape the project’s infrastructure and ensure environmental sustainability.
The geological studies and bathymetry survey provided essential data on site conditions, enabling the optimization of infrastructure design, placement, and durability while ensuring compliance with environmental and safety standards, including those set by the International Finance Corporation. These studies will guide CWP in selecting ideal locations for supporting infrastructure such as water desalination, roads, and pipelines, while minimizing environmental impact on the bay area. As a fundamental aspect of project development, these assessments establish a strong foundation for design and permitting processes.
Margaret Mutschler, AMAN Project Director, expressed anticipation for acquiring deeper insights into the local environment, geology, and hydrogeology through upcoming studies.
Key Highlights from the Onshore Geological, Hydrogeological and Geotechnical study:
- Survey Scope: During July, August, September, and October 2024, CWP conducted an extensive research study into existing geological information available in Northern Mauritania, bringing together previous geological studies, government information, local project studies and historic geotechnical information gathered by other infrastructure projects. A field visit was undertaken to the project area with consultants RSK and Magma to help us understand existing data and its accuracy.
- Digital Elevation Model: High-quality satellite imagery formed a crucial part of this study.
- Infrastructure Siting: The data gathered will inform the potential siting of renewable infrastructure, the location of the desalination plant, and other supporting elements for the proposed AMAN project.
- Hydrological and Hazard Modeling: Collected data was fed into GIS systems to help model the risks of geological processes such as sand movement and flooding, which are key to environmental impact assessments.
Key Highlights from the Marine Reconnaissance Survey in Baie du Lévrier:
- Survey Scope: In September and October, CWP conducted a 360 km marine reconnaissance survey of Baie du Lévrier and mapped the seabed mapping across 26 km2.
- Sample Collection: Water and sediment samples from 10 locations were analyzed for chemical and benthic (micro-organism) composition, with underwater videography documenting each location.
- Nautical Charting: The survey aimed to validate existing nautical charts for precise engineering and planning.
- Infrastructure Siting: Data gathered will help inform the potential siting of a desalination plant’s intake and brine disposal systems to ensure minimal impact on the marine environment.
- Hydrodynamic Modeling: Collected data will feed into computer simulations to model brine dispersion, a key element for environmental impact assessments.
- The bathymetric data will also support long-term environmental monitoring, including year-round water sampling and tidal movement measurements, offering insights into seasonal variations in the bay’s characteristics.
The proposed AMAN project aims to deploy up to 30 GW of combined wind and solar capacity in multiple phases, pending necessary commercial and regulatory approvals. Once operational, it has the potential to generate up to 110 TWh of energy annually and produce approximately 1.7 million tons of green hydrogen per year, supporting the development of hydrogen derivatives such as green ammonia, steel, and possibly liquid hydrogen.
CWP’s engagement with local and national stakeholders, particularly the Ministry of Petroleum, Energy, and Mines, has strengthened the AMAN project while reinforcing the company’s commitment to aligning with Mauritania’s economic and environmental priorities throughout all stages of development.
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