Oil & Gas

A major oil and gas field in West Africa is advancing plans to develop over two billion barrels of reserves, significantly increasing production in Ivory Coast. According to updates from a Washington-based energy platform, Italy’s Eni began the second phase of the Palin field development off the Ivory Coast on December 28, 2024, just one year after the first phase went live.

Eni described this phase as a pivotal milestone for developing the country’s offshore resources. With the completion of this phase, daily production from the Palin field will reach approximately 60,000 barrels of oil and 70 million cubic feet of associated gas, roughly equivalent to two million cubic meters.

The Palin field, considered the largest discovery in Ivory Coast, is also the first project in Africa’s Zone 1 and 2 to operate with zero emissions. Eni’s progress in the second phase has seen the deployment of the Petrojarl Kong floating production, storage, and offloading unit, alongside the Yamoussoukro unit for oil export. Additionally, 100% of the processed gas will be directed to meet the country’s domestic energy needs, thanks to a pipeline constructed during the project’s first phase.

This expansion further solidifies Ivory Coast’s position as a global energy producer while enhancing local access to energy. Eni noted that the second phase utilizes advanced technologies to reduce carbon emissions, contributing to the carbon neutrality of the project. Furthermore, initiatives like the Clean Cooking Program and efforts to restore 14 classified forests have benefited over 575,000 people in vulnerable areas, helping to mitigate the field’s environmental impact.

With the successful rollout of the second phase, total production is expected to reach 150,000 barrels of oil per day and 200 million cubic feet of associated gas, a boost that enhances Côte d'Ivoire's role as a key energy hub in the region. In partnership with local company Petroci Holding, the country is poised for further expansion, with investments over $15 billion expected to ramp up oil production from 60,000 barrels per day to 200,000 barrels per day over the next three years.

The Palin field, discovered by Eni’s Palin X-1 exploration well in September 2021, is located within two blocks operated by Eni and Petroci: CE-101 and CE-802. The reserves of the field are estimated at 2.5 billion barrels of oil and 3.3 trillion cubic feet of associated gas. With continued development, Ivory Coast is positioned to enhance its regional energy leadership, as the third phase of the Palin field development moves through planning.