Eni and its partners, Petroci and Vitol, have approved the final investment decision for the Baleine Phase 3 project, further advancing the development of Côte d’Ivoire’s largest-ever hydrocarbon discovery.
The Phase 3 expansion is expected to increase oil production from 60,000 barrels per day to 150,000 barrels daily, while natural gas production is projected to rise from 80 million to 200 million cubic feet per day.
The approval ceremony took place in Abidjan on Monday and was attended by Hon. Mamadou Sangafowa-Coulibaly.
The project will involve the deployment of a new floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) facility designed to improve operational efficiency, strengthen safety standards, and reduce environmental impact.
According to the companies, the project continues the phased and fast-track development strategy already used in the first two Baleine phases, allowing early production while optimising costs and making use of existing infrastructure.
Authorities say all gas produced from the project will be supplied to the domestic market to support electricity generation, industrial growth, and Côte d’Ivoire’s broader energy needs.
Commenting on the project, Claudio Descalzi described Baleine as a strong example of Eni’s exploration and production model, which combines rapid project development, operational efficiency, and sustainability.
He added that the project reflects the company’s commitment to strengthening energy security, supporting economic development, and promoting a lower-carbon energy future.
Eni has operated in Côte d’Ivoire since 2015 and was responsible for the Baleine and Calao discoveries, which have helped position the country as one of West Africa’s emerging offshore energy hubs.
The company also says it remains committed to supporting sustainable development initiatives in areas such as education, healthcare, training, entrepreneurship, and economic diversification.