Italian energy company Eni has discovered up to 5.0 trillion cubic feet of gas and 450 million barrels of condensate in a new offshore block in Ivory Coast.
In a statement on Monday, the discovery was made in Block CI-501, where it operates with a 90% stake in partnership with state-owned Petroci Holding.
The new find, named Calao South, followed the drilling of the Murene South-1X well, the first exploration well in the block.
Eni stated that Calao South “confirms the potential of the Calao channel complex that includes also the Calao discovery and represents the second largest in the country after Baleine, with estimated volumes of up to 5.0 trillion cubic feet of gas and 450 million barrels of condensate approximately 1.4 billion barrels of oil.”
The discovery adds to Ivory Coast’s growing offshore hydrocarbon portfolio and strengthens Eni’s presence in the West African country, where it has operated for about ten years.
Ivory Coast has emerged as a new energy producer in recent years following a series of offshore discoveries led by Eni and its partners.
How Calao South compares to Baleine
Calao South is now ranked as the second largest hydrocarbon discovery in Ivory Coast after the Baleine field.
Baleine is currently the country’s largest oil and gas development and serves as a key project for domestic energy supply.
Eni said output from Baleine is expected to rise to 150,000 bdp of oil and 200 million cubic feet of gas per day with the launch of Phase 3. The company added that this expansion would make the field a key asset for the country’s domestic needs.
The Baleine development was brought on stream in phases, allowing Ivory Coast to increase crude and gas production steadily.
In addition, the project has supported electricity generation and industrial gas supply in the country.
What the new block means for Ivory Coast
Block CI-501 is located offshore Ivory Coast and had not been drilled before the Murene South-1X well. The successful drilling of the first exploration well confirms the presence of substantial gas and condensate resources in the area.
Gas discoveries are particularly important for Ivory Coast as the country relies on natural gas to fuel most of its power generation. Higher domestic gas production could therefore reduce import dependence and support stable electricity supply.
Furthermore, condensate production can provide additional export revenue, as condensate is often blended with crude or processed into refined products. Eni has steadily expanded its footprint in Ivory Coast through exploration and development activities.
Over the past decade, the company has positioned the country as one of its core African assets, alongside other upstream projects across the continent. With Calao South joining the Calao channel complex, the latest discovery strengthens the geological potential of the offshore basin.
It also provides new volumes that could be tied into future development plans, depending on appraisal results and investment decisions. Eni did not disclose a development timeline for Calao South.
However, the scale of the discovery places it among the largest recent gas finds in West Africa. In sum, the discovery deepens Ivory Coast’s role as an emerging offshore gas producer and reinforces Eni’s long term strategy in the country.
