Société Mauritanienne Des Hydrocarbures (SMH)

What Société Mauritanienne Des Hydrocarbures (SMH) does

Société Mauritanienne Des Hydrocarbures (SMH) is the state-owned national oil company of Mauritania, wholly owned by the Government of Mauritania and headquartered in Nouakchott. The company operates across the full hydrocarbon value chain — upstream (exploration, development, exploitation, abandonment), midstream (transport and storage), and downstream (refining, marketing, distribution) — and serves primarily as the government's vehicle for managing the nation's petroleum resources and attracting international investment. SMH's core business is built around two distinct operational pillars: upstream participation in major offshore gas developments (most notably the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim cross-border project with Senegal featuring the FLNG GIMI floating liquefaction unit, plus the Banda gas field and Block C10 exploration) and downstream infrastructure management (a 100,000 m³ petroleum product depot in Nouakchott, jet fuel supply to the airport via a fleet of three 50 m³ tanker trucks, and gas supply to national utility Somelec).

Technically, SMH does not operate production assets directly; instead it leverages joint venture and production-sharing arrangements with international oil companies (BP as GTA operator, Kosmos Energy, Shell and Qatar Energy on Block C10, Go Gas on Banda) and provides national infrastructure including petroleum storage terminals, fire safety and emergency response systems, and Quality/Safety/Environment Management Systems aligned with international requirements. The company's revenue mechanics are based on transaction-fee streams: a share of hydrocarbon production and sales from JV partnerships, storage and handling fees at the SMH depot, and domestic gas sales to state utilities. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is set through government policy and international market mechanisms rather than commercial pricing lists.

Commercially, SMH pursues a government-to-business enterprise sales motion, engaging international oil companies through exploration contracts, production-sharing agreements, and bilateral meetings at major energy forums (ADIPEC, Africa Energy Week, Gastech, MSGBC, OTC). It also pursues strategic capability partnerships — notably with Algeria's SONATRACH (January 2025 MoU covering training, exploration, storage, and hydrogen research) and with Deloitte for a 2025–2035 corporate strategy study. SMH employs 38 staff and is currently led by Director General Dr. Mohamed Lemine Raghani, appointed by the Council of Ministers in November 2025.

Name

Société Mauritanienne Des Hydrocarbures (SMH)

Legal name

Société Mauritanienne des Hydrocarbures (SMH)

Website

https://smh.mr

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SMH is Mauritania's state-owned national oil company managing hydrocarbon exploration, production, storage, and distribution across the full value chain. It serves the Government of Mauritania and partners with BP, Shell, Kosmos, Qatar Energy, and SONATRACH on upstream gas projects and downstream infrastructure.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

National Oil Company / Hydrocarbon Operations

NAICS

Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals (424710), Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals (42471), Petroleum and Petroleum Products Merchant Wholesalers (4247)

SIC

Wholesale-Petroleum Bulk Stations & Terminals (5171), Oil & Gas Field Exploration Services (1382), Public Warehousing & Storage (4220)

akta.pro primary industry

Crude Oil & Condensate Terminals (Tank Farms, Marine/Truck/Rail Loading) (EUALAEAA)

Keywords

• National oil company
• Hydrocarbon exploration
• LNG production
• Petroleum storage
• Gas field development

Headquarters

HQ city

Nouakchott

HQ country

Mauritania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Hydrocarbon Production and Sales: Revenue generated from exploration, production and valorization of hydrocarbon resources through joint ventures with international oil companies in upstream operations
2. Petroleum Product Storage and Distribution: Storage and handling services for petroleum products at the SMH depot, including jet fuel transport and supply to airport facilities
3. LNG Production and Export: Revenue from LNG production through the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) project Phase 1, utilizing FLNG GIMI floating liquefaction unit

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

SMH is Mauritania's national oil company and operates the full hydrocarbon value chain — upstream exploration and production (including offshore gas/LNG), midstream storage and transport of petroleum products, and downstream distribution of refined fuels including aviation fuel. Its flagship assets include the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) LNG project developed with BP and partners, the FLNG GIMI vessel, the Banda Gas Field, and domestic petroleum and JET A1 storage depots.

Product overview

SMH operates as an integrated national oil company with three core business segments: Upstream (exploration, development, exploitation, abandonment), Midstream (transport and storage), and Downstream (refining, distribution, and product depot operations). The company manages major projects including the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) cross-border gas project with FLNG GIMI floating liquefaction unit, the Banda domestic gas field, and expanded petroleum storage infrastructure in Nouakchott. Key infrastructure includes petroleum product depots, aviation fuel facilities, and tanker truck fleet operations. SMH also provides HSE management services and environmental initiatives including coastal preservation programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Upstream Hydrocarbon Operations

Quantifiable outcome

• First Gas from GTA project Phase 1 - historic milestone for Mauritania-Senegal cross-border gas development
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Global Gas CentreminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 February 2026International non-profit organization based in Geneva bringing together gas value chain decision-makers. Working session with SMH Director General on strategic projects and cooperation prospects.
• Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2025SMH participates in Technical and Steering Committee meetings of the Nigeria-Morocco African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP) project, held in Rabat, Morocco.
• SONATRACHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 January 2025MoU signed for cooperation in onshore/offshore exploration, expertise exchange, hydrocarbon storage infrastructure, training programs, green and white hydrogen research, and potential joint venture for downstream petroleum sector development.
• Algerian Petroleum Institute (IAP)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 30 January 2025IAP conducts training programs for SMH staff as part of the SONATRACH-SMH cooperation. Framework contract signed January 2024 for skills development and training.
• Environmental Commission, Naval Academy, and ISSMminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 December 2024Partnership agreement signed for preservation of Mauritanian coastline. ISSM conducts experimental project using Sesuvium halophytic plants to combat coastal erosion south of Nouakchott.
• Go GascoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 November 2024SMH and Go Gas signed Heads of Terms for Banda Gas Sales Agreement with Somelec. Companies also held Operating Committee meetings for Banda Gas Field project development.
• Sonatrach Management AcademycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 17 January 2024SMH Board visited Sonatrach Management Academy in December 2025 for experience-sharing as part of ongoing cooperation.
• ShellcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 July 2023Shell operates Block C10 offshore with Qatar Energy and SMH as partners. The Pana-Cotta-1 exploration well was drilled by Shell in September 2023 targeting carbonate reservoirs.
• Qatar EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 July 2023Qatar Energy joined the Shell and SMH partnership in Block C10 through a Joint Operating Agreement (JOA) signed in July 2023.
• BPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBP is the operator of the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) project, a major cross-border gas development between Mauritania and Senegal. SMH works closely with BP on offshore gas production, FLNG operations, and GTA project development.
• Kosmos EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKosmos Energy is a partner in the GTA project alongside BP and national oil companies of Mauritania and Senegal.
• PetroSAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMet during Africa Energy Week 2023 as part of discussions with operators and investors interested in Mauritania opportunities.
• DeloittecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSMH and Deloitte launched strategic study in July 2025 to define company's major strategic directions for the 2025-2035 period.
• PetrosencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPetrosen is Senegal's national oil company and joint venture partner in GTA project. SMH and Petrosen teams conducted joint audit mission in London for verification of petroleum costs.
• UNECAminorOthersWorking session with UN Economic Commission for Africa led by Executive Secretary Claver Gatete discussing energy resource valorization and economic transformation opportunities.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• BP: Operator of the GTA Phase 1 LNG project and a strategic partner of SMH. Comparable as the IOC that, together with SMH, advances Mauritania's flagship gas project, and as a counterparty in which SMH's upstream value is hosted.
• SONATRACH: Algeria's state-owned national oil company, a much larger integrated NOC and SMH's strategic cooperation partner under the 2025 MoU. Highly comparable as a North African NOC counterpart undertaking upstream, midstream, and downstream operations with a similar state-owned mandate.

Others

• Deloitte: Global consulting firm engaged by SMH in July 2025 to define the company's strategic roadmap for 2025-2035. Relevant as an ecosystem enabler and strategic transformation partner rather than a direct competitor.

Regional players

• PetroSA: South Africa's state-owned oil and gas company, which met SMH during Africa Energy Week 2023. Comparable as a state-owned integrated gas-to-liquities and petroleum operator on the African continent, though operating in a different geography.

Direct peers

• Kosmos Energy: US-listed independent upstream partner in the GTA project alongside BP and SMH. Directly comparable as a partner operating offshore Mauritania/Senegal gas assets that SMH co-owns, including the basin-opening discoveries that enabled GTA.
• ONH (Office National des Hydrocarbures): Mauritania's sister national hydrocarbon entity, a partner of SMH. Comparable as a domestic state-owned entity operating in the same Mauritanian oil and gas ecosystem.
• ETAP (Entreprise Tunisienne d'Activités Pétrolières): Tunisia's national oil company, listed as a partner on SMH's website. Comparable as a North African NOC with full upstream-midstream-downstream scope, government mandate, and partnership-led approach to international IOCs.
• GNPC (Ghana National Petroleum Corporation): Ghana's national oil company, comparable as a West African NOC managing state participation in upstream gas/condensate projects, gas-to-power initiatives, and downstream petroleum supply.
• Petrosen: Senegal's national oil company and SMH's joint venture partner in the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim cross-border gas project. Both are West African NOCs of similar size, mandate, and operational scope, co-owning GTA and conducting joint audits and operations.
• Société Nationale des Hydrocarbures (SNH Cameroun): Cameroon's national oil company, comparable as a Central/West African NOC with state equity in upstream joint ventures and downstream petroleum product distribution under a government mandate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/soci%C3%A9t%C3%A9-mauritanienne-des-hydrocarbures-smh

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Société Mauritanienne Des Hydrocarbures (SMH)