Eni reported on March 7 a major find with its Calao discovery offshore Côte d’Ivoire, calling it the second largest in the country.

The Murene 1X exploration well in the Calao discovery, located in Block CI-205 in 2,200 m water depth, was drilled to 5,000 m and encountered light oil, gas and condensates in intervals of Cenomanian age characterized by good to excellent permeability values, Eni said. Preliminary assessments indicate potential resources ranging between 1 Bboe and 1.5 Bboe, Eni said.

Eni also made the largest discovery in the country with its Baleine Field in Block CI-101 in September 2021. That field started producing in August 2023. Baleine, which is French for whale, was initially estimated to hold over 2 Bbbl of oil and 2.4 Tcf of associated gas, but a follow-up discovery in 2022 increased the estimate up to 2.5 Bbbl and 3.3 Tcf of associated gas. 

Eni operates both blocks in partnership with Petroci Holding.