Eni and its consortium partners, Petroni and Vitol, have approved the final investment decision (FID) for Phase 3 of the Baleine project in Côte d’Ivoire.
An announcement in this connection was made during a ceremony in Abidjan attended by the country’s Minister of Mines, Petroleum and Energy, Mamadou Sangafowa-Coulibaly.
The full development of Baleine Phase 3 is expected to increase oil production from 60,000 to 150,000 barrels per day (bpd), while raising gas output from 80 to 200 million cubic feet per day (mcf/d).
The expansion will feature the addition of a new floating production, storage and offloading unit (FPSO), alongside improvements aimed at meeting operational efficiency, safety, and environmental targets.
According to Eni, all gas from Baleine Phase 3 will be directed to the domestic market to supply Côte d’Ivoire’s energy needs and support electricity generation as well as local industry.
Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi said: “Baleine is a testament to Eni’s exploration and production model, built on excellence in exploration activities, the ability to develop projects through a fast-track and phased approach, and a consistent commitment to sustainability, in continuous dialogue with the host country.
“This project reflects our commitment to strengthening energy security, supporting local economic development and advancing a lower-carbon energy future.”
Production from Baleine began in August 2023, less than two years after the field was discovered and 19 months following a prior investment decision.
For the first phase, the refurbished Baleine FPSO processes up to 18,000bpd of oil and about 25mcf/d of gas.
Phase 2, which was brought on stream in late 2024, was designed to raise the output to 50,000bpd and about 70mcf/d.
Eni reentered Côte d’Ivoire in 2015, and presently holds interests in the CI-101 and CI-802 blocks, which host the Baleine field, in partnership with Petroci.
The Italian energy company also participates in four additional deepwater Ivorian licences.
The Baleine field has been described as the largest hydrocarbon discovery in Côte d’Ivoire and the first commercial discovery in the country in two decades.
In January this year, Eni signed definitive agreement to sell a 10% stake in the Baleine project to the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR).
