Eni pulls out Baleine oil discovery in Ivory Coast waters

Baleine oil discovery : Italian oil and gas giant Eni said that it has pulled off a major oil discovery in block CI-101 in the waters of Ivory Coast following the drilling of the Baleine prospect.

Eni said that preliminarily estimates of the Baleine oil discovery suggest that it could hold 1.5 to 2 billion barrels of oil along with 1.8 to 2.4 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of associated gas.

The Italian oil and gas company is the operator of the offshore exploration block with a stake of 90%. It is partnered by Ivory Coast’s national petroleum company — Petroci Holding, which holds a stake of 10%.

Eni said that the Baleine-1x well was drilled to a depth of 3,445m in 30 days using the Saipem 10,000 drillship. It had encountered light oil (40° API) in two different stratigraphic levels.

The Saipem 10,000 drillship was used by Eni for making the Baleine oil discovery in Ivory Coast. Photo courtesy of SAIPEM SpA.

The Baleine oil discovery well is located nearly 60km off the coast, and is contained in approximately 1,200m of water depth.

Eni said that an evaluation program will be undertaken to understand the significant upside potential of the overall structure that extends into the company-operated CI-802 block.

The company stated: “The Baleine-1x well was located on the basis of a comprehensive analysis of a wide range of 3D seismic data and regional studies in the sedimentary basin in Ivory Coast; the implementation of state-of-the-art technology including intelligent wireline formation testing and fluid sampling proved the presence of light oil bearing intervals of Santonian and Cenomanian / Albian age.

“The lower Cenomanian / Albian level shows discrete to good reservoir characteristics and has been successfully tested to production.”

In addition to an appraisal program, Eni and Petroci Holding will begin studies for accelerated development of the Baleine oil discovery.