Eni Reports Major Gas and Condensate Discovery Offshore Côte d’Ivoire

Eni has reported a major gas and condensate discovery at its Murene South-1X well in Block CI-501 offshore Côte d’Ivoire, adding weight to the scale of the Calao channel complex and placing the find among the country’s largest hydrocarbon discoveries.

The Italian energy major said the well intersected Cenomanian reservoir sands estimated to contain around 5 trillion cubic feet of gas and up to 450 million barrels of condensate, or roughly 1.4 billion barrels of oil equivalent in place. Named Calao South, the accumulation ranks as Côte d’Ivoire’s second-largest discovery after Baleine.

Murene South-1X was drilled in 2,200 metres of water to a total depth of approximately 5,000 metres by the Saipem Santorini drillship. Eni reported about 50 metres of gross hydrocarbon-bearing interval with strong petrophysical properties. A drill stem test is planned to determine flow rates and confirm production performance.

Block Position and Regional Context

Eni holds a 90% operating stake in Block CI-501, with state-owned Petroci Holding retaining the remaining 10%. The well lies roughly eight kilometres southwest of the earlier Murene-1X discovery in neighbouring Block CI-205, adding continuity to the broader Calao channel system.

The discovery deepens Eni’s presence in Côte d’Ivoire, where it has operated since 2015 and now holds interests in ten offshore blocks, including CI-205, CI-504, CI-526, CI-706, CI-707, CI-708, CI-401, CI-801, CI-802 and the Baleine area, alongside Petroci Holding, Vitol and SOCAR.

Baleine continues to ramp up output, with the field currently producing more than 62,000 barrels of oil per day and over 75 million cubic feet of gas per day. Phase 3 is expected to increase production to 150,000 barrels per day and 200 MMcf/d of gas, further expanding Côte d’Ivoire’s offshore supply base.