Italian energy giant Eni has made a groundbreaking discovery in Côte d'Ivoire, uncovering a massive natural gas and condensate reserve that could reshape the region's energy landscape. The find, named Calao South, is the second-largest offshore discovery in the country's history, with an estimated 3 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and 100 million barrels of condensate, equivalent to 1.4 billion barrels of oil. This discovery comes on the heels of Eni's earlier Baleine field development, which remains the largest offshore resource in Côte d'Ivoire.
The Murene South-1X exploration well, drilled by the Saipem Santorini drillship to a depth of over 5,000 meters in water around 2,200 meters deep, encountered high-quality reservoir sands. Eni plans further testing to determine production potential and timelines for commercial development. This discovery not only strengthens Côte d'Ivoire's energy base but also boosts its regional energy profile, supporting potential domestic power generation, industrial growth, and regional exports.
Eni's strategic presence in West Africa is further solidified by this discovery, complementing its deepwater projects in Angola, Ghana, and Nigeria. The rising demand for energy across West Africa makes this find particularly significant, as it could help Côte d'Ivoire meet its domestic consumption while also exporting to neighboring markets. This discovery highlights the continuing potential of West Africa's offshore hydrocarbon basins, attracting multinational energy companies eager to tap into new gas and condensate reserves to meet both regional and global demand.
