Eni has successfully drilled the Baleine East 1X well, the first exploration well in block CI-802 and second discovery on the Baleine structure, offshore Côte d’Ivoire. The excellent results have allowed to increase by around 25% the volumes of hydrocarbons in place of the Baleine Field, which are now estimated at 2.5 billion barrels of oil and 3.3 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of associated gas.

Baleine East 1X was drilled in the CI-802 block, operated by Eni (90%), together with its partner Petroci Holding (10%), using the Saipem 12000 drilling ship. The well reached its final depth of 3,165 m measured depth, in a water depth of about 1,150 m. Baleine East 1X is located about 5 km east of the Baleine 1X discovery well in the adjacent block CI-101 and represents the first commercial discovery in the CI-802 block, confirming the extension of the Baleine Field.

The well, following an intense data acquisition campaign, confirmed the presence of a continuous oil column of about 48 m in reservoir rocks with good properties. From the vertical borehole a horizontal drain of 850 m in length was subsequently drilled into the reservoir to perform a production test that confirmed a potential of at least 12,000 bbl/d of oil and 14 Mscf/d of associated gas of production from the well Baleine East 1X.

The activities in the Baleine Field will continue with the drilling of a third well which will ensure, together with the other two already drilled, the accelerated start-up of production, confirming first oil in the first half of 2023 – about a year and half from Baleine 1X discovery well – and reaffirming the effectiveness of Eni’s phased development model and fast track.

The results of the Baleine East 1X well and its production performances will allow the optimization of the further full field development phases.

In addition to CI-101 and CI-802 blocks, on which the Baleine Field extends, Eni owns interests in five other blocks in the Ivorian deepwater: CI-205, CI-501, CI-504, CI-401 and CI-801, all with the same partner Petroci Holding.