en.Wedoany.com Reported - Italian energy group Eni has selected Altera Infrastructure to provide a newbuild floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel for the Phase 3 development of the Baleine oil field offshore Côte d'Ivoire. The project reached a final investment decision (FID) in May 2026, and the master agreement signed by both parties covers the engineering, procurement, construction, installation, and commissioning (EPCIC) of the FPSO, along with a 15-year fixed bareboat charter contract to support long-term production at the Baleine field.

The newbuild FPSO will be constructed by China's Wison New Energies, with a design capacity of 90,000 barrels of oil per day, natural gas processing of 160 million cubic feet per day, and crude oil storage capacity of 1.4 million barrels. The field is located approximately 70 kilometers offshore Côte d'Ivoire, in water depths ranging from 700 to 1,300 meters. After Phase 3 comes on stream, total production from the Baleine field will increase to approximately 150,000 barrels of oil and 200 million cubic feet of gas per day, making it one of the largest offshore energy development projects in West Africa. All produced gas will be supplied to the domestic market of Côte d'Ivoire for power generation and industrial development.

Chris Brett, President of Production at Altera, stated that Baleine Phase 3 represents a milestone for the company, demonstrating its ability to deliver attractive commercial solutions, world-class offshore operational capabilities, and leverage international capital to support major energy projects in Africa. He emphasized that this collaboration deepens the strategic partnership with Eni and solidifies Altera's leading position in offshore production and infrastructure solutions.

This project is the next step in the phased development of the Baleine field. Previously, Altera delivered and operated the FPSO Petrojarl Kong and FSO Yamoussoukro for Baleine Phase 2. Phase 3 further extends Altera's operational presence in Côte d'Ivoire into the mid-2040s and enhances its cash flow reserves. Additionally, Altera has completed the largest and most complex financing in its history, securing long-term committed capital from international institutional investors to cover expenditures from construction commencement through the entire 15-year lease period, reflecting market recognition of the project's long-term credit quality.