Eni has successfully resumed production of Phase 2 from the Baleine field, marking a crucial step in the development of the Côte d’Ivoire’s offshore. This came after the country celebrated production start-up from the Baleine field which is situated off the eastern coast of Côte d’Ivoire.

Eni and its partner Petroci initiated production from Baleine in August 2023, achieving a time-to-market of less than two years from the giant discovery. Oil production from Baleine Phase 1 started with 20,000 bbl/d, far exceeded the initial anticipated 12,000 bbl/d. The field was projected to reach its plateau of 50,000 barrels of oil per day by the end of 2024

The resumption of Baleine Phase 2 is expected to ramp up production to 60,000 barrels of oil per day and 70 million cubic feet of associated gas (equivalent to 2 million cubic metres).

Baleine Phase 2 will involve the deployment of the Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading Unit (FPSO) Petrojarl Kong alongside the Floating Storage and Offloading Unit (FSO) Yamoussoukro for the export of crude oil, while 100% of the processed gas will supply the local energy demand through the connection with the pipeline built during the project’s Phase 1.

This achievement further consolidates Côte d’Ivoire’s role as a producing country on the global energy scenario, strengthening access to energy on a national scale. The rapid development of Baleine Phase 2 confirms Eni’s excellent time-to-market, enhanced also by the renovation and reuse of the 2 units.

The Final Investment Decision for the project was taken in December 2022; Phase 1 was started in August 2023; in parallel, activities for Phase 2 had been carried and completed in full safety.

Baleine is the first net zero emission Upstream project (Scope 1 and 2) in Africa, made possible through the adoption of advanced technologies, which minimize the operations’ carbon footprint, and innovative initiatives developed in close collaboration with the Ivorian ministries.

These include the improved cookstoves’ distribution program (i.e. clean cooking program), which leverages the local production and has already benefited over 575,000 people in vulnerable conditions, and the initiative to protect and restore 14 classified forests, both contributing to the project’s carbon neutrality.

In addition, a wide range of initiatives in the areas of vocational training, education, health and economic diversification enrich Eni’s collaboration with the country.

Eni has been present in Côte d’Ivoire since 2015 with a current equity production of around 22,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. The company operates 10 blocks in the Ivorian deepwaters (CI-101, CI-205, CI-401, CI-501, CI-801, CI-802, CI-504, CI-526, CI-706 and CI-708) in partnership with Petroci Holding.

With the start-up of Baleine’s Phase 2 and the development of Phase 3, currently under study, total production is set to reach 150,000 barrels of oil per day and 200 million cubic feet of associated gas, further consolidating Côte d’Ivoire’s role as a regional energy hub and strengthening strategic collaboration with the local partner.