Eni Discovers Significant Gas Reserves Off the Coast of Côte d’Ivoire

Major Gas and Condensate Discovery Offshore Côte d’Ivoire

Eni has revealed a major find of gas and condensate at its Murene South-1X well, located in Block CI-501 off the coast of Côte d’Ivoire. This discovery highlights the vast potential of the Calao channel complex and stands as one of the largest hydrocarbon discoveries in the nation’s history.

The Italian energy company reported that the Murene South-1X well encountered high-quality Cenomanian reservoir sands, estimated to contain about 5 trillion cubic feet of gas and up to 450 million barrels of condensate. This equates to approximately 1.4 billion barrels of oil equivalent in place. Named Calao South, this is the second-largest hydrocarbon discovery in Côte d’Ivoire, surpassed only by the Baleine field.

Details of the Drilling Operation

The well was drilled by the Saipem Santorini drillship, reaching a depth of nearly 5,000 meters in waters 2,200 meters deep. Eni confirmed the presence of around 50 meters of hydrocarbon-bearing rock with outstanding petrophysical properties. Plans are underway for a comprehensive drill stem test (DST) to assess the well’s production potential.

Block CI-501 and Broader Exploration

Eni operates Block CI-501 with a 90% interest, while Petroci Holding, the state oil company, holds the remaining 10%. The Murene South-1X well is situated about 8 kilometers southwest of the earlier Murene-1X discovery in neighboring Block CI-205, further supporting the promise of the Calao channel system.

Eni’s Expanding Presence in Côte d’Ivoire

This latest discovery cements Eni’s status as the leading upstream operator in Côte d’Ivoire, where it has been active since 2015. The company now has stakes in ten blocks across the country, including CI-205, CI-504, CI-526, CI-706, CI-707, CI-708, CI-401, CI-801, CI-802, and the Baleine area, often in partnership with Petroci Holding, Vitol, and SOCAR.

Baleine Field: The Foundation of Offshore Production

The momentum from the Baleine field continues to drive Côte d’Ivoire’s offshore oil and gas sector. Baleine currently produces over 62,000 barrels of oil and more than 75 million cubic feet of gas daily from its first two development phases. With the third phase expected to boost output to 150,000 barrels of oil and 200 million cubic feet of gas per day, Baleine is rapidly becoming a regional energy hub to meet growing domestic needs.

Implications of the Calao South Discovery

The scale of Calao South could significantly enhance Côte d’Ivoire’s energy landscape. With vast gas reserves and considerable liquids, this find strengthens the country’s position as a rising West African gas producer, especially as global markets seek to diversify energy sources and bolster supply security.

Strategic Advantages for Eni

This result aligns with Eni’s approach of capitalizing on geological continuity and leveraging existing infrastructure in high-potential basins. The proximity of Calao South to other discoveries and facilities could speed up appraisal and development, lower project costs, and improve overall economics.

Regional and Market Impact

West Africa’s offshore sector is attracting renewed investment thanks to stable fiscal policies and competitive development costs compared to other deepwater regions. Eni’s recent success further demonstrates the area’s geological promise, particularly within the Cretaceous channel complexes that have produced several major discoveries.

If further testing confirms commercial production rates, Calao South could become a transformative asset for Côte d’Ivoire, supporting future LNG projects, power generation, and export opportunities, while deepening Eni’s presence in the Gulf of Guinea.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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