ENI has announced an important oil discovery in the CI-101 block offshore Ivory Coast. The block is operated by a consortium made up in the exploratory phase of ENI (as operator) for 90% and Petroci Holding for the remaining 10%.
The exploration well that led to the discovery of light oil (40 ° API) in two different stratigraphic intervals was drilled on the Baleine prospect, with the support of the Government of the Republic of the Ivory Coast.
The discovery will require a delineation program to test the significant additional potential of the overall structure that extends into the adjacent block CI-802, also operated by ENI with the same Joint-Venture and participatory interest in the exploratory phase.
The well was drilled about 60 kilometers from the coast, at a depth of about 1200 meters; the activities were carried out by the Saipem 10000 drill ship and the maximum depth of 3,445 meters was reached in one month.
The Baleine-1x well was located on the basis of a complete analysis of 3D seismic data and regional geological studies on the sedimentary basin of the Ivory Coast.
Now, given the petrophysical properties of the CI-101 block found and judged between fair to good, ENI and the partner Petroci Holding will proceed to an initial production phase.
The potential of the discovery is particularly important; in fact, it is preliminarily estimated between 1.5 and 2 billion barrels of oil in place with 1.8 and 2.4 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of associated gas.
Baleine-1x is the first exploration well drilled by ENI in the Ivory Coast. 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.
