Italian oil and gas company Eni has commenced production from the Baleine field offshore Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast).

Eni said that the Baleine field, which was discovered in 2021, is currently the biggest hydrocarbon discovery in Ivorian sedimentary basin.

Petroci, which is owned by the government of the West African nation, is Eni’s partner on the project.

Initially, production is taking place through the Baleine floating production storage and offloading vessel, which can process up to 15,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) of oil and nearly 25 million cubic feet per day (mcfd) of gas.

Phase two is anticipated to begin by the end of 2024, increasing field output to 50,000bopd of oil and roughly 70mcfd of gas.

The third phase of development is expected to increase field output to 200mcfd of gas and 150,000bopd.

A newly built pipeline is used to transport all of the oil and gas produced by the Baleine Field onshore.

The Italian energy major claimed that production from the Baleine Field marks the first emissions-free (scope 1 and 2) production project in Africa, as it leverages the best available technologies to lower emissions.

Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi said: "The first oil from Baleine is a milestone in Eni's operations. Stemming from an extraordinary exploration success, we have achieved an industry-leading time-to-market of under two years from the declaration of commercial discovery.

“This outcome expresses the core principles of our strategy, encompassing Africa's pioneering net-zero project, accelerated development, local gas supply and the promotion of a just transition."