Eni Strengthens African Presence with Landmark Hydrocarbon Finds
Italian energy major Eni has kicked off early 2026 with a series of high-impact discoveries, signaling a robust expansion of its upstream footprint in Africa. By securing major finds in both Côte d’Ivoire and Angola, the company is successfully executing a “dual-track” strategy: unlocking untapped “frontier” regions while maximizing the output of its long-standing hubs.
The African Energy Chamber (AEC) has lauded these milestones as pivotal for the continent’s economic sovereignty.While Côte d’Ivoire stands to gain significant momentum toward energy self-sufficiency, Angola’s new resources provide critical fiscal stability and production longevity.
Breakthroughs in Côte d’Ivoire
In a massive win for the Ivorian energy sector, Eni successfully drilled the Murene South-1X well (Block CI-501).This confirms the Calao South discovery, which is shaping up to be a monumental resource.
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Estimated Reserves: Approximately 5 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of gas and 450 million barrels of condensates.
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Technical Success: The well reached a depth of 5,000 meters, hitting high-grade sands with superior reservoir quality.
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Synergy with Baleine: This find bolsters the ongoing Baleine field development. By Phase 3, production at Baleine is expected to soar to 150,000 barrels of oil and 200 million cubic feet of gas daily.
Sustaining Momentum in Angola
In the more mature Angolan market, Eni—operating through Azule Energy—struck oil at the Algaita-01 well in Block 15/06.
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Resource Potential: Initial estimates suggest a bounty of 500 million barrels of oil.
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Efficiency Advantage: Because the well is located near the existing Olombendo FPSO, Eni can utilize “near-field” exploration. This infrastructure-led approach allows for lower costs and a much faster transition from discovery to active production.
A Broader Continental Vision
Eni’s recent successes are part of a massive €24 billion investment plan across North Africa (Algeria, Libya, and Egypt) over the next four years. This aggressive campaign is further supported by:
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New Licenses: Securing the O1 offshore block in Libya.
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LNG Expansion: Advancing the Congo LNG and Coral North projects to satisfy global gas demand.
“These discoveries prove that Africa is not just competitive, but essential to the global energy landscape,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC. “Oil and gas remain the bedrock of our industrial future and economic independence.”
