Why did Eni award contracts to both TechnipFMC and OneSubsea for the same project?

Eni is utilizing a multi-sourcing strategy to de-risk the project schedule. By leveraging the capacities of both major subsea alliances, Eni avoids over-reliance on a single supplier in a tight market, ensuring faster delivery of critical subsea hardware for the multi-well campaign.

What makes the Baleine project unique in the African oil and gas landscape?

Baleine is the first development in Africa designed to achieve net-zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions from inception. This is achieved through high-efficiency gas turbines, zero routine flaring, and the implementation of carbon offset initiatives alongside local forest conservation programs.

Who are the key stakeholders behind the OneSubsea joint venture?

OneSubsea is a highly integrated subsea technology joint venture that brings together the subsea businesses of SLB (formerly Schlumberger), Aker Solutions, and Subsea7, combining their manufacturing, engineering, and installation capabilities.

Offshore Energy · July 13, 2026 (Jul 13) · 1 min read

After TechnipFMC, Eni brings OneSubsea onboard Côte d’Ivoire project

ENI S.p.A.

Isometric technical illustration of offshore oil and gas operations with drillship and support vessel — Illustration: ENI S.p.A.

Analysis

AI-assisted analysis · reviewed by Yuri Kan

Italian energy major Eni has expanded its contractor pool for the flagship Baleine deepwater development off Côte d’Ivoire by awarding a significant multi-well subsea production systems contract to SLB-backed OneSubsea. This move follows a previous major award to TechnipFMC, highlighting Eni's fast-track execution strategy for Africa's first net-zero emissions upstream project. By diversifying its supply chain with top-tier subsea alliances, Eni aims to secure project timelines amid a highly constrained global offshore services market.

Key Facts

OneSubsea, a joint venture owned by SLB, Aker Solutions, and Subsea7, has secured a multi-well subsea production systems contract from Eni.
The contract is dedicated to the ongoing development of the Baleine field, located in deep waters offshore Côte d’Ivoire.
This award follows a prior major subsea contract for the same project granted to rival oilfield services provider TechnipFMC.
The Baleine field represents the largest hydrocarbon discovery in Côte d’Ivoire to date, with estimated reserves of 2.5 billion barrels of oil and 3.3 trillion cubic feet of associated gas.
Eni is developing the project in phases, utilizing a fast-track model that achieved first oil just two years after the initial discovery.
The project is designed as Africa's first Scope 1 and 2 net-zero emissions development, utilizing specialized emissions-reduction technologies.

Background & Context

The Baleine field was discovered by Eni in September 2021, transforming Côte d’Ivoire's energy outlook and positioning the country as a regional hydrocarbon hub. Eni's rapid development plan saw Phase 1 come online in August 2023 using a refurbished FPSO and FSO. To sustain and scale up production for Phase 2 and beyond, Eni requires highly sophisticated subsea infrastructure, prompting competitive bidding among the world's leading subsea integration alliances.

Market Impact

The award to OneSubsea demonstrates Eni's strategic intent to mitigate supply chain bottlenecks by dividing major work packages between rival subsea giants TechnipFMC and OneSubsea. For the oilfield services sector, this contract solidifies OneSubsea's market position following its recent joint venture consolidation. For Côte d’Ivoire, the involvement of tier-one contractors ensures high-quality execution of its flagship asset, which will eventually supply domestic gas for power generation and regional export.

What to Watch

Looking ahead, the market will watch for the delivery timelines of the subsea trees and manifold systems from OneSubsea, which must align with Eni's aggressive drilling schedule. The successful integration of these systems will be critical for achieving the targeted Phase 2 peak production of 50,000 barrels of oil per day. Additionally, industry observers will monitor how Eni maintains its strict net-zero operational parameters as the subsea footprint expands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Eni award contracts to both TechnipFMC and OneSubsea for the same project?: Eni is utilizing a multi-sourcing strategy to de-risk the project schedule. By leveraging the capacities of both major subsea alliances, Eni avoids over-reliance on a single supplier in a tight market, ensuring faster delivery of critical subsea hardware for the multi-well campaign.
What makes the Baleine project unique in the African oil and gas landscape?: Baleine is the first development in Africa designed to achieve net-zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions from inception. This is achieved through high-efficiency gas turbines, zero routine flaring, and the implementation of carbon offset initiatives alongside local forest conservation programs.
Who are the key stakeholders behind the OneSubsea joint venture?: OneSubsea is a highly integrated subsea technology joint venture that brings together the subsea businesses of SLB (formerly Schlumberger), Aker Solutions, and Subsea7, combining their manufacturing, engineering, and installation capabilities.

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