Eni makes 'major' Cote d’Ivoire discovery

Italian firm plans fast-track development of find in offshore Baleine prospect

Italy’s Eni has made a “major oil discovery” offshore Cote d’Ivoire in the Baleine prospect, the company says. Preliminary reserve estimates are 1.5-2bn bl of oil and 1.8-2.4tn ft³ (51-68bn m³) of gas. Eni operates the block where the discovery was made, CI-101, with a 90pc stake, while the remaining 10pc is held by state oil company Petroci. The partners now plan an appraisal programme and to “start studies for a fast-track development of the Baleine discovery”. 1.5-2bn bl – Estimated reserves The test well—Eni’s first in Cote d’Ivoire—was about 60km from the coast and in waters 1,200m deep, and produced light oil of 40° API. The Italian firm says there is “significant upside potent