Eni gets two exploration blocks offshore Ivory Coast

Italian oil and gas company Eni has signed the contracts for two new exploration blocks in the eastern part of the sedimentary basin offshore Ivory Coast.

The blocks were part of the 20 blocks available at the end of 2018, Eni said.

The two blocks, CI-501 and CI-504, are located at about 30 kilometres from the coastline and cover a total area of about 911 square kilometres.

Block CI-501 (512 square kilometres) is located 80 kilometres south-west of the capital Abidjan at between 100 and 2,400 metres of water depth, while block CI-504 (399 square kilometres) is about 60 kilometres south-west of the capital and at between 1,000 and 2,350 metres of water depth.

Eni is operator in both blocks with a 90% stake, while the state company Petroci holds the remaining 10%. The two blocks are adjacent to the north of Block CI-205, already operated by Eni (Eni 90%, Petroci 10%).

Eni said that, due to their geological continuity, the blocks would be studied in synergy, utilising Eni’s proprietary technologies, with cost optimisation and facilitating time-to-market in the event of a petroleum discovery and commercial development.

Eni has returned to Ivory Coast in 2015, by acquiring 30% of the exploration block CI-100.

The company currently detains five deep-water blocks, four of which are operated through its subsidiary Eni Côte d’Ivoire Limited.

Eni had been active in Ivory Coast’s upstream and downstream sectors in the 60s and 80s.

Source: Offshore Energy Today