Why is the Baleine project considered a milestone for environmental standards in Africa?

Baleine is designed as Africa's first net-zero emissions upstream project for Scope 1 and 2. This is achieved by eliminating routine flaring and utilizing associated gas entirely for domestic power generation, alongside implementing energy efficiency technologies on the production vessels.

What is Altera Infrastructure's role in this specific phase of the development?

Altera Infrastructure is tasked with supplying the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel specifically for Phase 3. This vessel will provide the necessary processing and storage capacity to handle the increased production volumes as the field reaches its mature development stages.

How does the Baleine development impact Côte d'Ivoire's domestic economy?

Beyond generating substantial oil revenues, the project delivers critical associated gas to the Ivorian grid, supporting the country's electricity sector. This clean energy supply helps reduce reliance on dirtier fuels and strengthens Côte d'Ivoire's position as an electricity exporter to neighboring West African nations.

Offshore Technology · July 6, 2026 (Jul 6) · 1 min read

Altera to supply FPSO for Eni’s Baleine phase three in Côte d’Ivoire

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's fast-track development of the giant Baleine field off Côte d'Ivoire has taken a major step forward with Altera Infrastructure securing the FPSO contract for Phase 3. This agreement underscores Eni's aggressive strategy to commercialize Africa's first net-zero emissions (Scope 1 and 2) upstream project. By securing dedicated floating production capacity, the Italian major is locking in supply chain assets in a highly competitive offshore engineering market.

Key Facts

Altera Infrastructure has finalized principal agreements with Italian energy major Eni for the supply of a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel.
The newly contracted FPSO will be deployed for Phase 3 of the Baleine field development, located in the deep waters off Côte d’Ivoire.
Baleine is the largest hydrocarbon discovery in Côte d'Ivoire's sedimentary basin, with estimated resources of 2.5 billion barrels of oil and 3.3 trillion cubic feet of associated gas.
The project is notable for being Africa's first Scope 1 and 2 net-zero emissions development, utilizing gas-to-power infrastructure to eliminate routine flaring.
Phase 1 of the project achieved first oil in August 2023, less than two years after the initial discovery, using the FPSO Firenze (renamed Baleine).
Phase 2 is currently underway and is expected to boost production to approximately 50,000 barrels of oil per day by the end of 2024.

Background & Context

The Baleine field was discovered by Eni in September 2021 in block CI-101, followed by a successful appraisal well in block CI-802 in 2022. Eni's rapid-deployment model in Côte d'Ivoire has set a new industry benchmark for deepwater projects, transitioning from discovery to production in under two years. The field's development is being executed in phases to allow for early cash flow while building out the permanent infrastructure required for full-field recovery.

Market Impact

This agreement secures critical offshore production infrastructure at a time when the global FPSO market is facing severe capacity constraints and rising supply chain costs. For Côte d'Ivoire, Phase 3 solidifies its position as a major regional energy hub, significantly boosting domestic power generation through associated gas deliveries. For Eni, the project serves as a blueprint for low-carbon deepwater developments, proving that rapid-monetization strategies can align with stringent environmental, social, and governance (ESG) targets.

What to Watch

Industry watchers should monitor the final investment decision (FID) for Phase 3 and the specific engineering timeline for the Altera FPSO integration. The immediate milestone will be the successful commissioning of Phase 2, slated to bring total field production to 50,000 bopd and 70 million standard cubic feet of gas per day. Additionally, the progress of the gas pipeline infrastructure to shore will be critical for realizing the project's net-zero power generation goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Baleine project considered a milestone for environmental standards in Africa?: Baleine is designed as Africa's first net-zero emissions upstream project for Scope 1 and 2. This is achieved by eliminating routine flaring and utilizing associated gas entirely for domestic power generation, alongside implementing energy efficiency technologies on the production vessels.
What is Altera Infrastructure's role in this specific phase of the development?: Altera Infrastructure is tasked with supplying the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel specifically for Phase 3. This vessel will provide the necessary processing and storage capacity to handle the increased production volumes as the field reaches its mature development stages.
How does the Baleine development impact Côte d'Ivoire's domestic economy?: Beyond generating substantial oil revenues, the project delivers critical associated gas to the Ivorian grid, supporting the country's electricity sector. This clean energy supply helps reduce reliance on dirtier fuels and strengthens Côte d'Ivoire's position as an electricity exporter to neighboring West African nations.

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