All gas will remain in Côte d'Ivoire, strengthening domestic energy security
Off the coast of Côte d'Ivoire, a field once hidden beneath deep Atlantic waters is becoming a cornerstone of West African energy ambition. In May 2026, Eni and its partners sanctioned the third phase of the Baleine development, committing to more than double the field's output and directing all associated gas inward — toward the homes, factories, and power grids of the Ivorian people. It is a rare moment in offshore energy history when scale and sovereignty move in the same direction.
- Baleine's third phase will push oil output from 60,000 to 150,000 barrels per day, a 2.5-fold leap that repositions Côte d'Ivoire as a serious offshore producer on the global stage.
- A new FPSO vessel will anchor the expansion, continuing the fast-track, modular approach that has allowed Eni to avoid the years-long delays typical of large fixed offshore infrastructure.
- In a deliberate break from regional norms, every cubic foot of associated gas will stay in Côte d'Ivoire rather than being liquefied and shipped abroad, feeding domestic power generation and industrial demand.
- The Calao discovery and Eni's decade-long presence signal that Ivorian waters still hold untapped potential, drawing sustained exploration interest even as the third phase moves toward execution.
- The project lands amid fierce competition among West African producers to bring new barrels to market, with Côte d'Ivoire now positioned as one of the region's most consequential emerging offshore hubs.
Eni and its partners have approved the third phase of development at the Baleine field offshore Côte d'Ivoire, a decision announced in May 2026 that marks the most ambitious escalation yet in the country's offshore energy story. Current production of 60,000 barrels of oil per day and 80 million cubic feet of gas daily will grow to 150,000 barrels and 200 million cubic feet respectively — achieved through the deployment of a new floating production, storage, and offloading unit that continues the field's modular, fast-track development philosophy.
What sets this expansion apart is its orientation toward home. Rather than routing gas into liquefied exports bound for European or Asian markets, all gas from the third phase will supply Ivorian power generation and industry. It is a strategic choice that reflects a maturing view of associated gas — not as a tradable commodity, but as a foundation for domestic development and energy independence.
Baleine is the largest hydrocarbon discovery in Côte d'Ivoire's history, and its growth has transformed the country's standing in West African offshore circles. Eni, present in the country since 2015, has compounded that story with the Calao discovery, suggesting the basin's potential is far from exhausted.
For Côte d'Ivoire, the rewards are tangible: jobs, government revenues, and the energy supply needed to power an industrializing economy. How equitably those gains are shared, and how carefully the environmental dimensions are managed, will determine the project's lasting legacy. For now, the sanction marks a clear moment — a country stepping forward into the front rank of global energy producers.
Eni and its partners have given the green light to the third phase of development at the Baleine field, an offshore prospect off the coast of Côte d'Ivoire that is reshaping the country's energy landscape. The decision, announced in May 2026, represents a significant escalation in the company's commitment to the region and signals confidence in West Africa's role as a source of new oil and gas supply.
The numbers tell the story of ambition. Current production from Baleine stands at 60,000 barrels of oil per day, with gas output at 80 million cubic feet daily. The new phase will push oil production to 150,000 barrels per day—a 2.5-fold increase—while gas output climbs to 200 million cubic feet per day, more than doubling the existing rate. To achieve this, Eni will deploy a new floating production, storage, and offloading unit, or FPSO, continuing the fast-track development approach that has characterized the field's first two phases. This modular strategy allows the company to bring capacity online incrementally without the long lead times and capital intensity of traditional fixed infrastructure.
What distinguishes this expansion is its domestic focus. Unlike many offshore developments in the region that prioritize liquefied natural gas exports to global markets, all gas produced from Baleine's third phase will remain in Côte d'Ivoire. The gas will feed power generation and industrial demand across the country, strengthening local energy security and reducing reliance on imports. This approach reflects a broader shift among West African producers who are beginning to view associated gas not as a byproduct to be monetized abroad, but as a strategic asset for domestic development.
Baleine itself holds outsized importance for Côte d'Ivoire. It is the largest hydrocarbon discovery the country has ever made, and its development has elevated Côte d'Ivoire's standing as an emerging offshore oil and gas hub in West Africa. Eni has been operating in the country since 2015, and the company's track record extends beyond Baleine. The company has also made the Calao discovery, another significant find that underscores sustained exploration interest in Ivorian waters. These discoveries, taken together, suggest that the country's offshore potential remains largely untapped.
The timing of this sanction reflects broader market dynamics. West African producers are racing to bring new offshore barrels to market at a moment when global energy demand remains robust and when the region's competitive advantages—proximity to European markets, relatively low development costs, and improving regulatory frameworks—are increasingly attractive to international operators. Eni's decision to move forward with Baleine's third phase, despite the capital requirements and execution risks inherent in any major offshore project, reflects confidence that the investment will generate returns over the field's productive life.
For Côte d'Ivoire, the expansion carries tangible benefits. The project will generate employment during construction and operations, bring in government revenues through production-sharing agreements and taxes, and provide the domestic energy supply needed to support industrial growth and electrification. Whether those benefits are distributed equitably, and whether the environmental costs of offshore development are adequately managed, remain questions that will shape how the project is perceived over time. For now, the sanction stands as a marker of Côte d'Ivoire's emergence as a consequential player in global energy markets.
Citas Notables
All gas from the project will be supplied to the domestic market, supporting power generation and industrial demand in Côte d'Ivoire— Eni statement
La Conversación del Hearth Otra perspectiva de la historia
Why does it matter that Eni is expanding this particular field right now?
Because Côte d'Ivoire has been searching for decades to find its place in global energy markets, and Baleine is the proof that it's actually there. This isn't a marginal discovery—it's the largest the country has ever found. Eni's willingness to triple production suggests they believe the economics work and that the country is stable enough to operate in.
But there are plenty of oil fields being developed. What makes this one different?
The gas piece. Most West African projects export liquefied natural gas to Europe or Asia. Here, all the gas stays in Côte d'Ivoire. That's a deliberate choice to build domestic energy security rather than chase export revenue. It's a different model.
Is that better for the country?
Economically, it depends. Exporting gas generates more foreign currency. But domestic gas means cheaper power for industry, which can attract manufacturing and reduce poverty. It's a trade-off, and different countries make different bets.
How confident is Eni in this investment?
Confident enough to commit billions to a new FPSO and a multi-year development schedule. That's real money. They wouldn't do it if they thought the field would be shut down or if they doubted the country's ability to govern the project.
What happens next?
Construction and engineering work begins. The FPSO will take years to build and install. Meanwhile, Eni will likely keep exploring—they've already found Calao, another discovery nearby. The real question is whether other operators follow Eni into Ivorian waters, which would signal that the country has truly arrived as an energy hub.