Eni: Success through satellites
The Italian firm is unique among IOCs in setting up entities specialising in particular regions and low-carbon technologies, creating greater flexibility in attracting investment
Italian IOC Eni has outperformed many of its peers in recent years—an achievement the company and analysts attribute to a pioneering ‘satellite’ business model and a focus on low-cost projects with fast delivery. Under the satellite model, Eni has created a number of entities with dedicated management and separate balance sheets. In the low-carbon space. These businesses include Plenitude, launched in 2017 to develop renewables, energy retail and electric vehicle (EV) services, and Enilive, created in 2023 for biorefining and biofuel sales. Eni also established an entity focused on CCUS this year. Eni has separated out some parts of its core oil and gas operations as well. In 2018, it establ
Also in this section
12 December 2025
The latest edition of our annual Outlook publication, titled 'The shape of energy to come: Creating unique pathways and managing shifting alliances', is available now
12 December 2025
The federal government is working with Alberta to improve the country’s access to Asian markets and reduce dependence on the US, but there are challenges to their plans
11 December 2025
The removal of the ban on oil and gas exploration and an overhaul of the system sends all the right messages for energy security, affordability and sustainability
10 December 2025
The economic and environmental cost of the seven-year exploration ban will be felt long after its removal






