Calao Discovery: Eni Unveils Significant Gas and Condensate Find Offshore Côte d’Ivoire

Italian energy company Eni has reported a major natural gas and condensate discovery offshore Côte d’Ivoire, identifying the Calao South field as the second-largest hydrocarbon find in the country’s history.

The discovery is located in Block CI-501, where Eni holds a 90% operating interest alongside state-owned Petroci Holding, per oilprice.com.

The find was made through the Murene South – 1X exploration well, drilled by the Saipem Santorini drillship in water depths of approximately 2,200 meters to a total depth exceeding 5,000 meters. Eni estimates recoverable resources at up to three trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of natural gas and 100 million barrels of condensate, equivalent to roughly 1.4 billion barrels of oil equivalent.

Strategic and Economic Implications

The Calao South find significantly strengthens Côte d’Ivoire’s energy position. With the Baleine field already moving toward higher output (targeting 150,000 barrels of oil and 200 million cubic feet of gas per day in Phase 3), the addition of Calao South offers:

• Domestic Power Generation: Potential for increased local electricity output and industrial expansion.

• Reduced Dependency: Lower reliance on imported fuels and reduced energy costs.

• Regional Export Growth: Support for gas-fired power plants and petrochemical industries across West Africa.

Eni’s West African Footprint

For Eni, Calao South further solidifies its strategic presence in several deepwater projects:

1. Baleine (Côte d’Ivoire): The country’s largest discovery to date.

2. Owo and Akoma (Ghana): Continued exploration in the Tano Basin.

3. Angola: Ongoing production in Cabinda Norte and Block 15/06.

4. Nigeria: Participation in deepwater blocks and LNG-related activities.

Exploration Context

West Africa’s deepwater basins continue to attract major investment despite global energy transition pressures. Eni’s track record in the region demonstrates the continued exploration potential of the Transform Margin. The Calao South find comes at a time when natural gas is increasingly viewed as a bridge fuel for Africa’s industrialization and power needs.