Italian energy company Eni has announced a significant natural gas and condensate discovery off the coast of Ivory Coast, marking the second‑largest hydrocarbon find in the country’s history, according to Reuters.
The discovery, named Calao South, was made at the Murene South‑1X exploration well in offshore Block CI‑501, operated by Eni with a 90 % stake alongside state-owned Petroci Holding. Preliminary estimates indicate the find contains up to three trillion cubic feet of natural gas and around 100 million barrels of condensate, highlighting the potential of the Calao channel complex as a major new energy province.
The discovery is considered one of Ivory Coast’s most important hydrocarbon finds outside the established Baleine field, the country’s largest asset. Eni’s well encountered high-quality reservoir sands in deepwater, bolstering prospects for future development and commercial production.
Business Insider Africa says the discovery could significantly impact the country’s energy sector, supporting domestic power generation, industrial growth, and regional gas exports as the government seeks to expand local gas utilisation and attract further investment.
Eni has been operating in Ivory Coast since 2015 and maintains interests in multiple offshore blocks, reflecting its strategy to expand its footprint in West Africa’s deepwater hydrocarbon plays.
