Eni has signed a binding agreement with SOCAR, Azerbaijan’s state-owned oil company, to transfer a 10% interest in the Baleine project, located offshore Côte d’Ivoire. This transaction represents a step forward in Eni’s strategy to optimize its upstream service through its dual exploration model, which seeks to accelerate the monetization of discoveries through the participation of new partners.
The Baleine project and upstream service improvement
Baleine is Eni’s first offshore development in Côte d’Ivoire and the first with zero net emissions in all of Africa. Discovered in 2021, the field has reached a daily production of more than 62,000 barrels of oil and 75 million cubic feet of gas thanks to the development of its Phases 1 and 2. With Phase 3 planned, it is expected to reach 150,000 barrels of oil and 200 million cubic feet of gas per day, consolidating Baleine as an essential project for Ivorian energy security.
The transaction is part of a broader collaboration between Eni and SOCAR, reinforced in 2024 with the signing of three memorandums of understanding focused on energy security, hydrocarbon production y biofuels. SOCAR’s integration into the Baleine project expands its presence in West Africa and reflects a growing trend of interregional cooperation in the global energy sector.
The closing of the sale is conditional upon obtaining regulatory approvals and other customary requirements. Currently, the interest in the project is distributed among Eni (which will retain 37.25%), Vitol (30%), Petroci (22.75%) and, after closing, SOCAR with 10%.
With this operation, Eni strengthens its presence in West Africa and reaffirms its commitment to sustainable development models that combine economic growth with emissions reduction. Baleine not only improves local energy capacity, but also becomes a reference for future offshore developments in the region.
Source and photo: Eni