On Wednesday August 02, 2023, the State of Côte d'Ivoire and the Italian oil group ENI signed a contract for the sale and purchase of natural gas. The Minister of Mines, Petroleum and Energy, Mamadou Sangafowa-Coulibaly, while welcoming the signing, expressed his satisfaction that ENI had kept to the timetable set.
"This issue is being closely monitored by the President of the Republic, and I would also like to salute and congratulate all those involved in the process that led to the signing of this agreement," he emphasized.
In his view, ENI's Baleine field is an innovative, eco-responsible project. All of which reflects Côte d'Ivoire's commitment to promoting zero-carbon initiatives. This innovative project is the only one of its kind on the African continent.
"This signing marks a decisive step for Côte d'Ivoire's energy future, and confirms the country's commitment to developing a sustainable, environmentally-friendly natural gas industry," explained Sangafowa-Coulibaly.
He went on to say to the ENI Group: "We have passed a law on local content, and the implementing decree for this law has also been passed. I know that your structure is respectful not only of the environment but also of the impact it can leave on the local environment by exploiting natural resources. I invite you to integrate not only the nationals with whom you have already started working, but also national companies".
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Noumory Sidibé, Managing Director of CI-Energies, one of the signatories, noted that this natural gas sale and purchase contract between the State and ENI, in view of the pressure on the gas sector, was a breath of fresh air. "It's a sign of hope for the rapid development of other projects and for the strengthening of the electricity sector", he commented.
As for Nicola Mavilla, Managing Director of the ENI Group, he thanked the CI-Energies and Petroci partners for their teamwork. Together, they have laid the foundations for a prosperous energy future for Côte d'Ivoire.
"This agreement marks an important milestone in the exploitation of gas from the field, which will be entirely destined for the local market. It will enable us not only to provide the country with a reliable energy supply, but also to play a central role in supporting electrification," explained Mavilla.
He then reassured the audience of the EN Group's commitment to executing this agreement with the utmost diligence, adhering to the highest standards of safety, efficiency and sustainability.