Eni has confirmed a significant gas and condensate discovery in Ivory Coast, estimating the Calao channel complex now holds resources equivalent to 1.4 billion barrels of oil. This discovery, named Calao South, is the second largest in the country after the Baleine field.

Discovery Details and Resource Estimate

The discovery was made by the Murene South-1X exploration well, the first drilled in Block CI-501. It encountered a hydrocarbon-bearing interval of approximately 50 meters in high-quality Cenomanian sands, located about eight kilometers southwest of the earlier Murene-1X discovery well. The estimated volumes are up to 5 trillion cubic feet of gas and 450 million barrels of condensate, which together equate to about 1.4 billion barrels of oil equivalent. The state oil company Petroci, a partner, clarified this figure is an in-place estimate.

Operational Information

The well was drilled by the Saipem drillship Santorini to a total depth of about 5,058 meters in approximately 2,200 meters of water. Following the discovery, an extensive data acquisition campaign was conducted on the interval, which was noted for its excellent petrophysical properties. A full drill stem test is now planned for the Murene South-1X well to evaluate the play's production capacity.

Ownership and Context

Eni holds a 90% operating interest in Block CI-501, with Petroci holding the remaining 10%. This discovery confirms the resource potential of the Calao complex, building upon Eni's existing production from the Baleine field in the region.