The government of Côte d’Ivoire has awarded two new offshore exploration blocks, CI-802 and CI-803, to a consortium led by Italian energy major Eni and national oil company PetroCi, signalling continued confidence in the country’s deepwater hydrocarbon potential following a string of recent discoveries.
Under the production sharing contracts, Eni will operate with an 80% participating interest, while PetroCi holds the remaining 20%. The initial exploration phase is expected to include extensive 3D seismic surveys and at least two exploration wells within the next three years. Both blocks sit close to the prolific Baleine and Calao discoveries, where Eni has already made world-class finds estimated to hold billions of barrels of oil equivalent.
The Ivorian Ministry of Mines, Petroleum and Energy said the awards form part of a broader strategy to attract further investment into the country’s untapped offshore potential and boost national production, as Côte d’Ivoire works to position itself as a regional energy hub. Eni said it remains enthusiastic about expanding its footprint in the country, citing favourable geology and a supportive regulatory environment, with a continued focus on environmental stewardship and community engagement.
Source: Upstream Online