Less than two years after its discovery, the Italian hydrocarbon giant Eni announced on Monday, August 28, the start of oil and natural gas production from the Baleine field located off the coast of Côte d'Ivoire.

ENI describes the production of oil and natural gas in Côte d'Ivoire from the Baleine field as the first “zero emissions project” in Africa. This is the largest discovery of hydrocarbons in the Ivorian sedimentary basin. This production is based “on the best technologies available to reduce emissions.” In fact, according to the energy company, Côte d'Ivoire already has one of the most extensive electrical systems in West Africa with between 10 and 20% of its electricity production exported to Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, Benin, Togo and Liberia

Production will be provided by a floating unit capable of processing 15,000 barrels of oil per day and approximately 25 million cubic feet per day of associated gas.