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Eni Expands African Exploration Footprint with Major Discoveries in Ivory Coast, Angola

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8 months ago

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African Energy Chamber

New discoveries in Ivory Coast and Angola reinforce Eni’s dual strategy of frontier exploration and near-field reserve growth in Africa

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, February 17, 2026/APO Group/ –Energy major Eni continues to deliver on its exploration drive in Africa, announcing two major hydrocarbon discoveries in February 2026. In Ivory Coast, the company successfully drilled the Murene South-1X well in Block CI-501, confirming the Calao South discovery within the prolific Calao channel complex. Through its Angolan joint venture Azule Energy, the company also announced the Algaita-01 well in Block 15/06 – situated in the prolific Lower Congo Basin. Together, these milestones reflect a deliberate dual-track strategy for the company: opening new hydrocarbon frontiers while strengthening production capacity across Africa’s established markets.

 

As the voice of the African energy sector, the African Energy Chamber (AEC) commends Eni for its sustained commitment to African exploration. Large-scale discoveries in Ivory Coast and Angola are not only commercial wins – they are strategic victories for the continent. For emerging producers such as Ivory Coast, discoveries of this scale fast-track energy independence and domestic gas-to-power expansion. For mature producers such as Angola, they underpin production stability and fiscal resilience at a time when global capital is increasingly selective. As the company advances appraisal, testing and development planning, these discoveries have the potential to catalyze a new wave of upstream momentum across Africa’s hydrocarbon market.

Ivory Coast: Unlocking New Frontiers

Representing the first exploration well in Block CI-501, Eni’s recent Calao South discovery has estimated volumes of 5 trillion cubic feet of gas and 450 million barrels of condensate. Drilled in water depths of approximately 5,000 meters, the Murene South-1X well encountered high-quality Cenomanian sands with excellent petrophysical properties. The well will undergo a full drill stem test to assess production capacity, but the scale of resources already signals a potential game-changer for the Ivorian gas market.

Companies that continue to explore, invest and partner with African nations are driving real development and long-term energy security

Crucially, Calao South complements the fast-tracked Baleine Field development – led by Eni as operator. Currently producing over 62,000 barrels of oil and more than 75 million cubic feet of gas per day from Phases 1 and 2, Baleine is set to ramp up significantly under Phase 3, targeting 150,000 barrels of oil and 200 million cubic feet of gas per day. This phased development model demonstrates how exploration success can be rapidly converted into production, supporting domestic power generation and industrial demand while boosting export capacity.

Angola: Scaling-Up Production

Eni’s exploration drive extends beyond Africa’s frontier margins. In established markets such as Angola, the company continues to deliver successful exploration results, with its recent Algaita-01 well further validating the resource potential of Block 15/06 – one of Angola’s biggest producing assets. Drilled in 667 meters of water by the Saipem 12000 drillship, the well encountered oil-bearing sandstones across multiple Upper Miocene intervals, supported by comprehensive data acquisition and fluid sampling. Initial resource estimates measure 500 million barrels of oil, underscoring the growth potential of Angola’s mid-life assets.

What makes Algaita-01 particularly significant is its proximity to the Olombendo FPSO. The presence of existing infrastructure materially enhances development prospects, lowering capital intensity and accelerating time-to-market. This near-field exploration model exemplifies how incremental discoveries around established hubs can sustain production above one million barrels per day in Angola, even as legacy fields mature.

A Continental Exploration Drive

Eni’s Ivory Coast and Angola discoveries come as the company advances a bold exploration strategy across the broader African market. In North Africa, the company plans to invest up to €24 billion across Algeria, Libya and Egypt over the next four years, signaling a major boost for the regional market. Just this month, the company secured the offshore exploration License O1 following Libya’s 2025 open licensing round. Exploration coincides with an ambitious LNG drive in Africa, with projects such as Congo LNG – Phase 2 of which commenced in December 2025 – and Coral North – launched in October 2025 – underpinning its gas strategy.

“Eni’s recent discoveries in Ivory Coast and Angola send a powerful signal to the global market that Africa remains open, prospective and competitive. Oil and gas are not relics of the past for our continent – they are the foundation of industrialization, power generation and economic sovereignty. Companies that continue to explore, invest and partner with African nations are driving real development and long-term energy security,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, AEC.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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SLB commissions new fluids systems plant in Pemba to support Mozambique’s offshore energy development

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16 hours ago

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October 9, 2026

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Mozambique

New facility expands in-country drilling and completion fluids capability, advancing the next phase of SLB’s growth in Mozambique

PEMBA, Mozambique, October 9, 2026/APO Group/ –SLB (NYSE: SLB) (www.SLB.com) announced the opening of a new fluids systems plant in Pemba, Mozambique. The new facility strengthens in-country capacity to prepare, store and deliver drilling and completion fluids for offshore operations, reinforcing the infrastructure needed as Mozambique’s offshore activity grows and its role as a strategic energy hub for East Africa continues to expand.

The commissioning of the plant, also known as a liquid mud plant, coincides with SLB marking 70 years of operations in Mozambique. It reflects the company’s long-term commitment to investing in people, infrastructure and capability that support the country’s long-term offshore energy development plans.

 




  

With an initial storage capacity of 21,000 barrels, the liquid mud plant provides a scalable platform for future growth, supporting multiple customers and rising offshore activity while improving logistics and enhancing operational flexibility.

As SLB marks 70 years in Mozambique, this investment reflects our confidence in the country’s future and our commitment to supporting its energy ambitions

“As SLB marks 70 years in Mozambique, this investment reflects our confidence in the country’s future and our commitment to supporting its energy ambitions,” said Miguel Baptista, Central, East and Southern Africa, Managing Director, SLB. The new liquid mud plant strengthens local energy infrastructure, expands opportunities for local content development, and enhances our ability to support customers as they deliver some of Africa’s most significant offshore energy resources.”

The liquid mud plant project was delivered with strong local participation and that momentum is expected to continue into operations. During project delivery, more than 100 jobs were created in Pemba with nationals representing 80% of the workforce, reflecting a focus on building local capability.

The project was delivered with a strong focus on safety, operational integrity, and quality, achieving more than 67,000 hours worked without a recordable safety incident.

This key infrastructure strengthens SLB’s ability to support consistent service quality and enhance supply chain readiness for increasing offshore activity across Mozambique, supporting customers execute safely and efficiently while developing local skills and expertise.

Key Points:

  • SLB has commissioned a new fluids system plant in Pemba, expanding in-country drilling and completion fluids capability for offshore operations.
  • With an initial storage capacity of 21,000 barrels, the facility provides a scalable platform to support growing offshore activity in Mozambique.
  • The investment marks the next phase of SLB’s growth in Mozambique, strengthening local capability and supporting long-term offshore energy development.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of SLB.

 

 




 

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South African Energy Storage Association (SAESA) welcomes 4,600 MW battery storage prioritisation and calls for integrated energy planning

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16 hours ago

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October 9, 2026

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Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are becoming critical system infrastructure, supporting flexibility, reducing avoidable curtailment, shifting energy into periods of demand and strengthening security of supply

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, October 9, 2026/APO Group/ –The South African Energy Storage Association (SAESA) (www.SAESA.org.za) welcomes the prioritisation of 4,600 MW of battery energy storage under the first Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2025 Section 34 determination.

 




  

The timing is significant. Recent Integrated Energy Plan (IEP) modelling and assumptions discussions highlighted a fundamental shift that South Africa’s energy planning now needs to capture: we cannot plan the future power system by counting megawatts of generation alone.

We must plan for when energy is available, where it is available, how it moves through a constrained grid and how it is stored and dispatched when the system needs it most.

The announcement reinforces that shift. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are becoming critical system infrastructure, supporting flexibility, reducing avoidable curtailment, shifting energy into periods of demand and strengthening security of supply.

For SAESA, the message for the IEP is clear: storage, flexibility and system services must be modelled as integral components of South Africa’s future electricity architecture, with their contribution considered from the outset of generation planning.

“The IEP must plan the power system we are becoming, not simply model the power system we have inherited,” says SAESA.

The IEP must plan the power system we are becoming, not simply model the power system we have inherited

Partnership with C&I Energy + Storage Summit

SAESA is an association partner of the C&I Energy + Storage Summit, created by VUKA Group, taking place on 28–29 October 2026 at The Maslow Hotel, Sandton, Johannesburg.

The summit brings together commercial and industrial energy users, project developers, financiers, regulators and solution providers to explore practical approaches to energy security, procurement and storage deployment.

For businesses assessing how storage can support their operations, the event offers an opportunity to meet SAESA and engage with the wider energy community on the decisions shaping South Africa’s evolving electricity system.

Commercial and industrial energy decision-makers are invited to apply to attend as hosted buyers. Qualifying buyers receive complimentary summit access and curated opportunities to engage with industry partners.

 

Meet SAESA at C&I Energy + Storage Summit: Join the Hosted Buyer Programme

The Hosted Buyer Programme connects commercial and industrial energy decision-makers with solution providers shaping South Africa’s evolving private energy market.

Qualified energy buyers receive complimentary access to the summit and curated engagement with industry partners exploring energy procurement, storage deployment and project development.

Apply for the Hosted Buyer Programme (https://apo-opa.co/4ehLijJ)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

 




 

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Nigeria Mining Week 2026 sets the agenda for the sector’s next decade

Published

22 hours ago

on

October 9, 2026

By

Nigeria Mining Week

International Lithium Association and Mercuria Energy Trading NG join Nigeria Mining Week 2026 ahead of its opening in Abuja on 12 October

Nigeria has the mineral endowment to play a growing role in global supply chains, including critical minerals

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, October 8, 2026/APO Group/ —Programme and delegate passes: www.NigeriaMiningWeek.com

With less than a week to go, Nigeria Mining Week 2026 has added a global commodity trader and the world’s lithium trade association to its programme. Mercuria Energy Trading NG has signed as a Gold Sponsor, and the International Lithium Association (ILiA) has joined as a Supporting Association.

 




 
 

They join Nigeria’s mining leaders, investors and operators in Abuja from 12 to 14 October for three days on the questions that will define the sector’s next decade: who finances Nigerian projects, who buys their output, and how much of it is processed in Nigeria.

Now in its 11th edition, the event takes place at the Abuja Continental Hotel under the theme “Unlocking Investment and Growth through Partnerships”. More than 3,080 attendees and more than 90 sponsors and exhibitors are expected across seven strategic forums.

The decisions made on processing, financing and market access over the next few years will shape Nigerian mining for the decade ahead. Nigeria Mining Week puts the people making those decisions in the same room.

On the agenda

The programme follows six content pillars: exploration and geological data; financing and investment; industrialisation and processing; infrastructure and power; ESG, transparency and community development; and international and regional collaboration.

  • 12 October: pre-conference and roundtables on geological data, financing for junior miners, compliance and enforcement, and power and infrastructure.

Available to conference attendees only.

  • 13 October: conference and exhibition opening, the new Critical Minerals Forum, the Women in Extractive Industries Forum and technical workshops
  • 14 October: Gold Day, sessions on steel and industrial minerals, the Deal Room and further technical workshops

The Deal Room is a curated space for one-on-one meetings between mining projects and financiers, off-takers and strategic partners. Projects seeking offtake or financing can apply to take part.

International Lithium Association joins as Supporting Association

ILiA, the global trade association for the lithium industry, will take part in the Critical Minerals Forum on 13 October. Astrid Karamira, EMEA Representative Director at ILiA, joins the panel “Building Reliable Pathways from Nigeria to Global Battery, Magnet & EV Markets”.

The session looks at what Nigerian projects must do to reach international battery markets: technical and quality standards, traceability and responsible sourcing, export readiness, and the step from exploration success to commercial operation.

“Global buyers are asking more of their suppliers on quality, traceability and responsible sourcing than ever before. Nigeria Mining Week is an opportunity to discuss openly what those expectations mean in practice, and how Nigerian projects can meet them.”

Mercuria Energy Trading NG signs as Gold Sponsor

Mercuria Energy Trading NG is the Nigerian subsidiary of Mercuria, one of the world’s leading independent energy and commodity groups. It brings a buyer and offtaker perspective to the programme.

For many Nigerian projects, a credible buyer is the gap between a promising deposit and a financed mine. Mercuria will contribute to discussions on commodity trading and offtake partnerships, critical minerals supply chains, and infrastructure and logistics.

“Nigeria has the mineral endowment to play a growing role in global supply chains, including critical minerals. We look forward to sharing how trading, offtake and logistics partnerships can help Nigerian projects reach global markets.”

Event details

The programme is subject to change.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Nigeria Mining Week.

 

 




 

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