During an exploratory drilling carried out by the Italian hydrocarbon giant Eni, the Ivory Coast, a modest hydrocarbon producer, announced on Wednesday the "major discovery" of oil and natural gas off its coast.

Côte d'Ivoire had signed contracts with the Italian Eni and the French Total in 2019, for the exploration of four oil blocks corresponding to an investment of 185 million dollars. In a press release, the Ivorian Minister of Mines and Petroleum, Thomas Camara, indicates that this operation has led to a major discovery of oil in the sedimentary basin of Côte d'Ivoire in block CI-101, in deep waters, operated in consortium. with the national company Petroci Holding. Discovered reserves relate to crude oil and associated natural gas. “The potential can be estimated in a preliminary manner at approximately 1.5 to 2 billion barrels of crude oil on the one hand, and on the other hand at approximately 1,800 to 2,400 billion cubic feet of associated gas. Of an important discovery which would thus greatly increase the proven reserves of Côte d'Ivoire, as well as its oil and gas production in the years to come, "said the Minister. Oil production in Côte d'Ivoire, which recorded a 12% increase in 2019 to reach more than 36,000 barrels per day, comes from drilling wells located mainly offshore, near the border with Ghana. The country has 51 identified fields including 4 in production, 26 in exploration and 21 still free or in negotiation.