Eni has started oil and gas production from Baleine field, offshore Ivory Coast.
Initial phase production is through the Baleine floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel, a refurbished and upgraded unit (formerly Firenze) capable of handling up to 15,000 b/d of oil and around 25 MMscfd of associated gas (OGJ Online, Apr. 6, 2023).
The start of Phase 2 is expected by end-2024, also through a renovated FPSO. This second phase is expected to increase field production to 50,000 b/d of oil and about 70 MMscfd of associated gas. The third development phase aims to elevate field production up to 150,000 b/d of oil and 200 MMscfd of gas.
Production comes less than 2 years after the discovery from the NFW Baleine 1X well in Block CI-101 in September 2021, and about a year and a half after the final investment decision. This marks the first emissions-free Scope 1 and 2 production project in Africa, the company said.
Baleine field is the largest hydrocarbon discovery in Ivory Coast, with estimated oil in place of 2.5 billion bbl and an estimated 3.3 tcf of associated gas. Gas is delivered to shore via a newly built export pipeline.
Baleine field extends over Blocks CI-101 and CI-802. Eni serves as operator with partner PetroCi Holding.
