Eni, in collaboration with PETROCI, has successfully initiated oil and gas production from the Baleine Field, situated offshore Côte d’Ivoire, part of the Ivory Coast. This achievement follows less than two years since the discovery in September 2021 and less than a year and a half after the final investment decision. Notably, this project stands as Africa's first emissions-free (Scope 1 and 2) production venture.

Baleine Field represents the largest hydrocarbon discovery in the Ivorian sedimentary basin. The rapid time-to-market was made possible through Eni's phased development strategy, characteristic of recent projects, and the full cooperation of its partner, PETROCI. Initial production is conducted via the Baleine FPSO, a refurbished and upgraded Floating Production Storage and Offloading unit capable of handling up to 15,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil and around 25 million standard cubic feet per day (Mscf/d) of associated gas. The commencement of Phase 2 is anticipated by the end of 2024, which will elevate field production to 50,000 bpd of oil and approximately 70 Mscf/d of associated gas. The third development phase aims to further increase field production to 150,000 bpd of oil and 200 Mscf/d of gas.

All gas produced from the Baleine Field during these development phases will be transported onshore via a newly constructed pipeline. This infrastructure will cater to the country's domestic electricity market requirements, enhance energy accessibility, and reinforce its role as a regional energy hub for neighboring nations.

The project prioritizes advanced technologies to minimize emissions. Remaining emissions are offset through in-country initiatives, including the distribution of improved stoves to local communities, reducing the reliance on wood or coal for cooking. The stove distribution program, initiated in 2022, is expected to benefit over one million people over the next six years. Concurrently, Eni has launched studies for Nature-Based Solutions projects encompassing 380,000 hectares of protected forests.

Eni's CEO, Claudio Descalzi, emphasized, "The first oil from Baleine is a milestone in Eni's operations. Stemming from an extraordinary exploration success, we have achieved an industry-leading time-to-market of under 2 years from the declaration of commercial discovery. This outcome expresses the core principles of our strategy, encompassing Africa's pioneering net-zero project, accelerated development, local gas supply, and the promotion of a just transition."

In Côte d’Ivoire, Eni is actively engaged in initiatives aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These include school refurbishment projects, teacher skills enhancement workshops benefiting around 8,500 students, and a five-year agreement with the Institut National Polytechnique Houphouët Boigny to train about 400 executives and technicians in the energy sector. In the realm of community health, initiatives have been launched to improve access to healthcare services in 20 clinics located in vulnerable areas across different regions of the country. Additionally, vocational training projects have been initiated for professional integration in the energy, automotive, and textile sectors, involving approximately 450 youths.

Eni's presence in Côte d’Ivoire dates back to the 1960s with Agip Côte d’Ivoire. The company re-entered the country in 2015 and currently holds interests in the CI-101 and CI-802 blocks – where the Baleine field extends – as well as in four other deep-water Ivorian blocks: CI-205, CI-501, CI-401, and CI-801, all in partnership with PETROCI Holding.