DOF Group has secured a significant contract from Altera Infrastructure for the installation of an FPSO and FSO in the Baleine field offshore Cote d'Ivoire.

The project forms part of the phase two development of the project, which is operated by Eni with Ivory Coast Government-owned company Petroci Holding as a partner.

Due to begin by the end of 2024, phase two will increase the field’s output to 50,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) and roughly 70 million cubic feet per day of gas.

The comprehensive project scope includes the installation of seabed mooring systems, a flowline connecting the FSO and FPSO, and associated equipment.

Under the contract, DOF will be responsible for the project management, engineering, transportation, installation and hook-up of the floating units.

DOF plans to use the Skandi Skansen vessel for the project, which is expected to involve more than 130 vessel days.

The project management and engineering phases are set to commence immediately, with operations being coordinated from DOF's offices in Bergen, Norway, and Aberdeen, Scotland.

The offshore operations are scheduled to commence from Q3 2024.

Last year, Altera Infrastructure was selected for redeployment of the FPSO Voyageur Spirit and the shuttle tanker Nordic Brasilia for the Baleine Phase 2 project.

In November 2023, Reuters reported that Eni planned to make a $10bn (€9.16bn) investment to develop the Baleine field, which is estimated to have certified reserves of 2.5 billion barrels of oil and 3.3 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

By 2027, the field will produce 200,000bopd, up from 30,000bopd in 2023.