The discovery, named Calao South, was made after drilling the Murene South‑1X exploration well in Block CI‑501, where Eni holds a 90% stake in partnership with state-owned Petroci Holding.
The well was drilled by the Saipem Santorini drillship to a depth of over 5,000 metres in water around 2,200 metres deep. High-quality reservoir sands were encountered, and Eni plans further testing to determine production potential and timelines for commercial development.
Eni boosts Ivory Coast’s regional energy profile
The Calao South find strengthens Ivory Coast’s energy base, supporting potential domestic power generation, industrial growth, and regional exports.
“This discovery confirms the significant resource potential offshore Ivory Coast and reinforces the region’s appeal to global energy investors,” said an Eni spokesperson.
With rising demand for energy across West Africa, this discovery could also help Ivory Coast meet domestic consumption while exporting to neighboring markets.
For Eni, the find reinforces its strategic presence in West Africa, complementing other deepwater projects in Angola, Ghana, and Nigeria.
Italian energy giant Eni has in recent years deepened its oil production collaboration across Africa.
In a previous report, Business Insider Africa noted that Eni, alongside the United Kingdom’s BP, confirmed a fresh 500 million-barrel oil discovery offshore Angola, reinforcing the Southern African nation’s efforts to bolster crude production amid sustained output pressures and shifting global energy flows.
The Calao South discovery highlights the continuing potential of West Africa’s offshore hydrocarbon basins, attracting multinational energy companies eager to tap new gas and condensate reserves to meet both regional and global demand.
