Eni starts production at Baleine field in Côte d’Ivoire

Eni has started up the first of three planned production phases on the Baleine field offshore Côte d’Ivoire, the Italian energy giant announced on Monday.

The first phase involves production from the Baleine FPSO, which has a capacity of 15,000 bopd and 708,000 cubic metres (25 mcf) per day of gas.

The vessel set sail from Dubai towards the concession in April 2023.

The second phase of the project is already underway, with the FID taken in December 2022 and start up planned for December 2024.

The second phase will up production from the field to 50,000 bopd and 1.98 mcm (70 mcf) per day of gas using the Voyageur Spirit FPSO.

The third phase involves raising production to 150,000 bopd and 5.66 mcm (200 mcf) per day of gas.

Gas production from all phases is to be delivered onshore through a newly constructed pipeline.

“The first oil from Baleine is a milestone in Eni’s operations. Stemming from an extraordinary exploration success, we have achieved an industry-leading time-to-market of under two years from the declaration of commercial discovery,” said Claudio Descalzi, CEO of Eni.

Several contracts have been signed for the development of the field, including with Baker Hughes for provision of subsea trees in June 2023 and Saipem for drilling works in March 2023.

Discovered in 2021, the Baleine field is the largest oil and gas find in the country with estimated resources of 2.5 billion barrels and 93.5 bmc (3.3 tcf) of associated gas.

The field extends over blocks CI-101 and CI-802, which Eni operates alongside its local partner Société Nationale d’Opérations Pétrolières de la Côte d’Ivoire.

Eni and its partner also own interest in blocks CI-205, CI-501, CI-401 and CI-801 in the country.