The Baleen field in Ivory Coast is steadily progressing towards the start of oil and gas production, ensuring the country’s energy supplies and enhancing the potential of the African continent.
Baker Hughes Energy Technology announced that it had obtained a contract from the Italian company Eni and its partner, the National Oil Operations Company in Ivory Coast “Petrosi”, to develop the second phase of the Balin project in Ivory Coast.
The company stated that this contract strengthens Baker Hughes’ presence in West Africa and opens up great growth potential in the country, according to a press release seen by the specialized energy platform.
Baker Hughes will offer a bespoke product portfolio across subsea production systems and flexible piping systems, designed for optimal cost-effectiveness, installation and life-of-the-field value.
Development of the Baleen field in Ivory Coast
The contract includes the delivery of 8 deepwater wellhead rigs, 3 manifolds (which include on/off fluid flow control valves), and the associated subsea production control system.
These deepwater manifolds and equipment, combined with subsea production controls and flexible tubing systems, provide efficiency and cost-effectiveness under challenging conditions.
Its modular design helps reduce lead times, which is vital to the economic viability of such projects, according to a Baker Hughes statement.
“This collaboration between the company and Eni is the first development project in Africa with clear targets for Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon reduction targets, and will introduce innovative technology that will enhance energy security in Côte d’Ivoire,” said Maria Claudia Porras, Executive Vice President of Oilfield Services and Equipment at Baker Hughes. “.
She continued, “Ensuring local availability of energy is an increasing challenge, and we commend the efforts of Eni and companies like it in shaping an abundant energy future for Africa. We are proud of the confidence placed in us to accelerate the implementation of this important project.”
The discovery of the Palin field and its potential
The Italian company Eni discovered the Balen field in September 2021, describing it as the largest oil and gas discovery in Ivory Coast, containing 2.5 billion barrels of oil and 3.3 trillion cubic feet of associated gas, according to estimates.
Eni also stressed that the development of the Baleen field is the first development in the framework of achieving carbon neutrality for the emissions of Zones 1 and 2 in Africa.
The project includes benefiting from the Palin field within 3 stages, and the first stage is scheduled to start production during the current year (2023), followed by the second stage in 2024, and then a third, larger stage, according to a report seen by the specialized energy platform, quoting the platform. Oil & Gas Middle East.
Regarding the development of the Balen field, Eni awarded two contracts worth nearly one billion euros (about $956 million) to the Italian company Saipem in September 2022.
Floating ships for production and storage
The Florence (or Firenze) floating production, storage and offloading vessel for the first phase of the Palen field development arrived at the site recently and is currently undergoing commissioning and connection to the subsea infrastructure.
On April 6, 2023, Eni announced its celebration in Dubai of the sailing of the floating ship to the Palin field, off the coast of the African country, in partnership with the Petrosi company, according to a report seen by the specialized energy platform, quoting the Offshore Energy platform. .
The Florence FPSO has been refurbished and upgraded to allow it to process up to 15,000 barrels per day of oil and approximately 25 million cubic feet per day of associated gas, while all gas production will be delivered onshore via a newly built export pipeline.
Eni confirmed that the installation of the subsea production system and the campaign to complete the wells is underway, and will ensure a rapid start of production by June 2023.
During the second phase, the eight wells of the Balin project will be connected to the Voyageur Spirit floating production, storage and offloading vessel, which will be undergoing renovation in Dubai.
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