Côte d'Ivoire Cedes 1 Billion Euro Oil Contracts to Saipem

Adedayo Osho, Abuja Bureau Chief

Saipem has been awarded two new contracts worth approximately 1 billion euro in west African Côte d'Ivoire.

Both contracts were assigned by ENI Cote d’Ivoire-Petroci consortium in the Baleine Phase 1 Project, for the development of the relative oil and gas field offshore Ivory Coast located at a 1,200m water depth in the west African country.

The Baleine Prospect represents the largest commercial discovery in the country in the last twenty years; will contribute to energy production in Ivory Coast; strengthen the country’s role as a regional energy hub.

The Italian firm contributed to the discovery of the field, thanks to tenacious drilling activities of the Saipem 10000 and Saipem 12000 vessels.

The first contract entails Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Installation (EPCI) activities of Subsea Umbilicals, Risers and Flowlines (SURF) and of an onshore gas pipeline for the connection to the distribution grid.
The offshore laying of flexible lines, risers and umbilicals will be executed by Saipem’s flagship vessel FDS2 and the development of the project will be on a fast-track basis. The start of operations is planned for the fourth quarter of 2022.

The second contract – also developed with a fast-track schedule - encompasses Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Commissioning activities regarding the refurbishment of the Firenze FPSO vessel, plus 10 years of Operations and Maintenance services of the vessel.

The award of significant contracts in a new area with great potential such as Ivory Coast represents an important recognition of Saipem's role as a contractor of excellence for the execution of complex projects.