Phase 2 of the Baleine Project Boosts Côte d'Ivoire's Gas Volumes
Eni and Petroci announced a major boost in gas volumes from the Baleine upstream project to support power generation in Côte d’Ivoire.
Launched in December 2024 on schedule and with full safety measures, Baleine is the first net-zero upstream project (Scope 1 and 2) in Africa. Phase 2 of the project was aimed at strengthening the country’s energy sector and industrial growth, while also improving energy access.
The 70 MMcf/D of gas produced by the project will be used entirely for domestic energy needs. At the same time, Eni has reached its oil production plateau of 60,000 B/D, tripling the 20,000 B/D achieved during the project's previous phase.
With Phase 3 currently under study, total production is expected to reach 150,000 B/D of oil and 200 MMcf/D of associated gas.
Venture Global Receives Non-FTA Export Authorization From US DOE
Venture Global has received approval from the US Department of Energy (DOE) to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) to non-free trade agreement countries for its third project, CP2 LNG. Venture Global made its final investment decision on the project, located in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, in early March.
The first phase of CP2 LNG was sold through 20-year sales and purchase agreements with ExxonMobil, Chevron, JERA, and INPEX, among others. Venture Global has launched offsite construction of the project while it awaits other authorizations from regulators in the US and is in active discussions for the project’s remaining capacity.
Baker Hughes and Petrobras Agree to Multiyear Completions Systems Contract
A range of Baker Hughes’ technologies developed for Petrobras will be deployed offshore, supporting deepwater remote operations, limiting gas and water breakthrough, and reducing the risk of interventions.
“Deepwater, high-pressure wells require an unmatched level of reliability, and our completion technologies have proven themselves in these harsh environments,” Amerino Gatti, executive vice president of oilfield services and equipment at Baker Hughes, said in a statement. “Through continual innovation, improvement, and testing, and in close collaboration with Petrobras, the Baker Hughes team has pioneered new ways to help develop Brazil’s natural resources safely and efficiently for decades to come.”
Petrobras will use Baker Hughes’ SureCONTROL Premium interval control valve, which provides enhanced reliability in the high flow rates of Petrobras’ offshore fields. A number of additional Baker Hughes completions technologies will be deployed at the fields, including downhole gauges, gas lift systems, and safety valves. Delivery will begin in late 2025.
Shell's Dover Project Begins Production in GOM
Shell announced the start of its Dover project, which is estimated to hold 44.5 million recoverable BOE and will reach a peak production of 20,000 B/D of oil.
Dover, discovered in 2018, is located within Mississippi Canyon, approximately 170 miles offshore southeast of New Orleans in about 7,500 ft of water. It is the second subsea tieback—after Rydberg which came online in 2024—connecting new wells to the existing infrastructure of the Shell-operated Appomattox production hub in the newly renamed Gulf of America. It comprises two production wells produced through a 17.5-mile flowline and riser.
Shell holds a 100% working interest in Dover.
Saudi Aramco Discovers 14 Fields
Saudi Aramco said it discovered 14 oil and natural gas fields and reservoirs in the Arabian Eastern Region and the Empty Quarter. The discoveries include six fields and two reservoirs of Arabian oil, as well as two fields and four reservoirs of natural gas.
In the Eastern region, the oil discoveries included Jabu, Sayahid, and Ayfan fields, along with the Jubaila and Unayzah-A oil reservoirs. Two natural gas fields—Ghizlan and Araam—and one unconventional reservoir—Qusaiba—were also discovered in the Eastern Region.
In the Empty Quarter, the Arab-C in the Marzouq field, Arab-D, and Upper Jubaila gas reserves were found. Oil discoveries in the region included the Nuwayr, Damda, and Qurqas oil fields.
TotalEnergies Successfully Restarts Tyra II Project
After being suspended in 2019, TotalEnergies' Tyra II project has been restarted with facilities reaching full technical capacity.
Tyra is Denmark's largest natural gas field, with the ability to produce 5.7 million m3 of gas and 22,000 B/D of condensates at plateau.
In 2019, gas production and deliveries were suspended to allow for the field's redevelopment, which had become necessary due to natural subsidence of the reservoir. The new Tyra produces more efficiently and with 30% lower greenhouse gas emissions than the former facilities.
The continuation of ramp up of production is ongoing.
TotalEnergies operates the field with a 43.2% stake. BlueNord and Nordsøfonden hold 36.8% and 20%, respectively.
Drilling Activities in Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone Completed
Exxon and QatarEnergy have completed drilling operations at the Elektra-1 well in Block 5 offshore Cyprus. Well data and preliminary evaluation work indicate the presence of natural gas in noncommercial quantities.
According to the operator’s early assessment, Elektra-1 has yielded encouraging results, confirming the existence of a hydrocarbon system and good-quality reservoirs. The data collected during the drilling operations are being evaluated to determine the consortium’s future plans in Block 5.
The Valaris DS-9 drillship, which carried out the drilling operations, will now move on to conduct exploration drilling at the Pegasus 1 wellsite in Block 10 of the Exclusive Economic Zone.
Chevron's Ballymore Begins Production
Chevron’s Ballymore project in the Gulf of Mexico has began producing.
Ballymore, the latest Chevron project to start up in the in the past year, is located in the Mississippi Canyon area 160 miles southeast of New Orleans in around 6,600 ft of water.
The subsea tieback is expected to produce up to 75,000 B/D through three wells tied back 3 miles to the existing Chevron-operated Blind Faith facility.
“Ballymore, which was completed on time and on budget, brings additional production online without building a new standalone offshore platform. This reduces our development costs and is expected to drive higher returns for shareholders,” said Brent Gros, vice president, Chevron Gulf of America.
Estimated potentially recoverable resources at Ballymore are 150 million BOE over the life of the project. another step toward the company’s goal to produce 300,000 net BOED from the US Gulf by next year.
Chevron is operator of the Ballymore project with 60% working interest. Co-owner TotalEnergies has a 40% working interest.
