Where exactly is the Calao South discovery located?

The Calao South discovery is situated offshore Côte d'Ivoire, within Block CI-501, in the country's territorial waters off the West African coast.

What types of hydrocarbons were found at Calao South?

The Murene South-1X well confirmed the presence of both natural gas and liquid condensate resources, indicating a valuable mixed hydrocarbon discovery.

What is Eni's existing presence in Côte d'Ivoire?

Eni has a significant and growing presence in Côte d'Ivoire, notably with the major Baleine field discovery made in 2021, which is currently being fast-tracked for production. This new Calao South find adds to their expanding portfolio in the country.

Offshore Technology · February 17, 2026 (Feb 17) · 1 min read

Eni makes Calao South discovery offshore Côte d’Ivoire’s CI-501

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

Eni has announced a new gas and condensate discovery, named Calao South, in Block CI-501 offshore Côte d'Ivoire, following successful drilling of the Murene South-1X well. This find further strengthens the Italian major's footprint in the West African region and underscores the continued prospectivity of Ivorian waters. It represents another positive development for Côte d'Ivoire's burgeoning hydrocarbon sector, building on recent successes.

Key Facts

Italian energy company Eni confirmed a new hydrocarbon discovery.
The discovery consists of both natural gas and condensate resources.
The find is located offshore Côte d'Ivoire, in West Africa.
Specifically, the discovery was made within exploration Block CI-501.
The prospect has been officially named Calao South.
The Murene South-1X exploration well was responsible for confirming the presence of hydrocarbons.

Background & Context

Côte d'Ivoire has been actively promoting its offshore potential, attracting significant international investment in recent years. Eni, a prominent global energy company, has established a notable presence in West Africa, including a major gas discovery in Côte d'Ivoire's Baleine field in 2021, which is already progressing towards production. This latest find builds on the country's efforts to diversify its energy mix and boost its economic prospects through hydrocarbon development.

Market Impact

This discovery further solidifies Eni's strategic position in West Africa, expanding its resource base beyond the significant Baleine field. For Côte d'Ivoire, it enhances its appeal as an attractive destination for upstream investment and could contribute to future energy security and export revenues. While the immediate market impact on global prices is negligible given the early stage, it signals continued confidence in the region's prospectivity, potentially drawing more exploration interest from other international oil companies.

What to Watch

Eni will likely proceed with appraisal activities to determine the full extent and commercial viability of the Calao South discovery. Depending on the results, the company will then evaluate potential development options, possibly integrating it with existing infrastructure or planning a standalone project. Future exploration campaigns in adjacent blocks or deeper horizons within CI-501 could also be anticipated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is the Calao South discovery located?: The Calao South discovery is situated offshore Côte d'Ivoire, within Block CI-501, in the country's territorial waters off the West African coast.
What types of hydrocarbons were found at Calao South?: The Murene South-1X well confirmed the presence of both natural gas and liquid condensate resources, indicating a valuable mixed hydrocarbon discovery.
What is Eni's existing presence in Côte d'Ivoire?: Eni has a significant and growing presence in Côte d'Ivoire, notably with the major Baleine field discovery made in 2021, which is currently being fast-tracked for production. This new Calao South find adds to their expanding portfolio in the country.

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