Eni: Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi meets the President of Côte d’Ivoire Alassane Ouattara

The President of Côte d’Ivoire Alassane Ouattara and Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi met yesterday to discuss the progress of Eni’s activities in the country, following the giant offshore discovery of Baleine 1-X. The Secretary General of the Presidency Abdourahmane Cissé, the Minister of Economy and Finances Adama Coulibaly, and the Minister of Mines, Petroleum and Energy Thomas Camara were also present at the meeting.

Eni CEO and President Ouattara discussed Baleine’s appraisal and fast-track development plans. President Ouattara highlighted his strong political will to support investments and a fast time-to-market through an effective collaboration from his Government. The discovery, which took place 20 years after the last commercial discovery in the area, opens-up a new exploration concept in a mature basin.

Baleine’s potential is estimated in excess of 2 billion barrels of oil in place and about 2.4 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of associated gas. Its significant gas volumes will contribute to power generation in Côte d’Ivoire, strengthening the country’s role as a regional energy hub.

President Ouattara and Claudio Descalzi discussed on how to deliver a net zero carbon development project, complementing oil and gas with renewables and other decarbonization initiatives such as UN REDD+ programs for the protection of primary forests and biodiversity. Also, the two discussed measures to leverage the development of local content, facilitating the participation of local people and businesses in Eni’s industrial activities, through transfer of skills and knowledge and the reinforcement of communities’ skills assets. A collaboration between Eni Corporate University (ECU) and Ecole Supérieure du Pétrole et de l’Energie will held to develop competencies and human capital.



Baleine-1x is the first operated exploration well drilled by Eni in Côte d’Ivoire. The CI-101 block is operated by a consortium made up in the exploratory phase of Eni, operator, and Petroci Holding. In addition to the CI-101 block, Eni owns a stake in four other blocks in the Ivorian deepwater: CI-205, CI-501, CI-504 and CI-802, all with the same partner Petroci Holding