In a significant sign of Azerbaijan’s expanding global energy ambitions, State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) President Rovshan Najaf led a high-level delegation to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, for wide-ranging talks centered on acquiring a 10% stake in the Baleine oil and gas field — one of West Africa’s most promising upstream developments.
The delegation, which also included Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiyev and officials from Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry, held a series of meetings with Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Mines, Petroleum and Energy, the Directorate-General for Hydrocarbons, and the national oil company PetroCI. Discussions covered joint project opportunities in oil and gas exploration and production, investment prospects, and energy security.
Particular focus was placed on the Baleine field’s development phases, production capacity, logistics, and commercial framework. The strategic significance of a potential SOCAR entry was underscored as the company seeks to broaden its operational footprint across Africa and reinforce its standing in international energy markets.
The Baleine project is regarded as one of Côte d’Ivoire’s most promising energy developments, with significant potential for production growth and regional cooperation. The visit reflects Azerbaijan’s broader strategy to diversify international energy partnerships and deepen economic ties with Africa’s rapidly evolving energy sector.
Source: trend.az | azernews.az