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As part of the energy strengthening of the region, the Italian company Eni, together with its business partners Petroci and Vitol, formalized the final investment decision for the development of the third phase of the Baleine field.
This announcement consolidates the operational deployment in the largest hydrocarbon discovery recorded in the history of Côte d’Ivoire. The agreement was signed in the city of Abidjan, with the presence of the local Minister of Mines, Petroleum and Energy, Mamadou Sangafowa-Coulibaly.
Hydrocarbon Production at the Baleine Field
Through this strategic planning, the consortium projects a substantial increase in the extraction capacity of the offshore infrastructure. Crude oil production will rise from the current 60,000 barrels to 150,000 barrels per day. Natural gas production will scale from 80 to 200 million cubic feet per day.
Regarding the technical design of the project, operations include the integration of a state-of-the-art floating production, storage and offloading unit. This facility will optimize costs and leverage existing structures in the coastal area. Likewise, plant management will align with strict international standards to mitigate environmental impact in the marine environment.
Consequently, all natural gas obtained will be allocated exclusively to supply the Ivorian domestic market. This measure seeks to meet the country’s electricity demand, diversify the generation matrix, and support the industrial development of the region. Eni’s Chief Executive Officer, Claudio Descalzi, emphasized that the applied model combines rapid execution with a social commitment to the host state.
Regarding commercial background, Eni’s operational presence in African territory dates back to 2015, the period when deep exploration began. Successive discoveries in the Baleine and Calao fields positioned Côte d’Ivoire as one of the most attractive investment areas in West Africa. Authorities anticipate that these advances will consolidate energy sovereignty and energize the economy through workforce training programs, healthcare, and promotion of local entrepreneurship.
Source and photo: Eni