Italy’s Eni has increased its resource estimate for Baleine by 25pc
Cote d’Ivoire’s Baleine set for fast-track development
The field will be the African country’s largest oil and gas development and revive a declining upstream that has seen almost 20 years without a major discovery
Italy’s Eni is planning a rapid development of the Baleine field in Cote d’Ivoire following further exploration drilling success. The IOC has increased its resource estimate by 25pc, to 2.5bn bl of oil and 3.3tn ft³ (93.45bn m³) of gas following “excellent results” from the Baleine East 1X well. Eni “looks to have a truly world-class discovery on its hands and is expediting an early production phase”, notes consultancy Welligence. Baleine East 1X is around 5km east of the previous Baleine 1X discovery. Drilling results “confirmed a potential of at least 12,000bl/d of oil and 14mn ft³/d of associated gas production” from Baleine East, says Eni. The development will be “game changing” for Cote
Also in this section
23 January 2026
A strategic pivot away from Russian crude in recent weeks tees up the possibility of improved US-India trade relations
23 January 2026
The signing of a deal with a TotalEnergies-led consortium to explore for gas in a block adjoining Israel’s maritime area may breathe new life into the country’s gas ambitions
22 January 2026
As Saudi Arabia pushes mining as a new pillar of its economy, Saudi Aramco is positioning itself at the intersection of hydrocarbons, minerals and industrial policy
22 January 2026
New long-term deal is latest addition to country’s rapidly evolving supply portfolio as it eyes role as regional gas hub
