Côte d'Ivoire aims to position itself as the main oil hub in the sub-region. As of the end of 2022, the Ivorian sedimentary basin had fifty (50) blocks, including nine (09) under exploration, four (04) in production, one (01) awaiting development, ten (10) under negotiation, and twenty-six (26) free.
As part of the sector's development, several reforms have been implemented, notably the revision of the petroleum code through Ordinance No. 2012-369 of April 18, 2012, which amends Law No. 96-669 of August 29, 1996. This code, which provides more flexibility, is an effective tool to attract more investments in the sector.
The main blocks of crude oil and natural gas in production in Côte d'Ivoire are: CI-11 (Lion and Panther fields), CI-26 (Espoir field), CI-27 (Foxtrot, Mahi, Marlin, and Manta fields), CI-40 (Baobab field), and CI-101 & C-802 (Whale field).
Crude Oil Production
The crude oil production of Côte d'Ivoire at the end of December 2023 is 10,752,196 barrels, corresponding to a daily output of 29,458 barrels. This production is up by 15.61% compared to the results obtained in 2022 (9,300,556 barrels) due to the commencement of production from the Whale field on August 27, 2023, and the good performances achieved across all blocks: CI-11 (+39.48%), CI-26 (15.29%), CI-27 (9.33%), CI-40 (8.87%), and CI-101/CI-802 (25.57%).
The majority of crude oil production is exported. In 2022, exports represented 84.10% of production.
Crude Oil Production in Barrels from 2015 to 2023
|
Block |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
CI-11 |
185,221 |
141,937 |
195,641 |
111,520 |
170,496 |
152,174 |
106,959 |
161,194 |
142,553 |
|
CI-26 |
5,148,986 |
4,609,039 |
3,398,882 |
3,107,408 |
2,793,656 |
2,242,385 |
1,613,597 |
1,972,562 |
1,695,988 |
|
CI-27 |
415,409 |
829,270 |
894,787 |
599,128 |
590,926 |
605,950 |
540,120 |
612,694 |
598,573 |
|
CI-40 |
4,985,527 |
9,846,649 |
7,951,194 |
7,966,586 |
9,639,055 |
7,641,883 |
6,512,587 |
6,554,106 |
6,235,621 |
|
CI-101 CI-802 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
2,079,461 |
|
TOTAL |
10,735,143 |
15,426,895 |
12,440,504 |
11,784,642 |
13,194,133 |
10,642,392 |
8,773,263 |
9,300,556 |
10,752,196 |
|
Variation |
55.55% |
43.70% |
-19.36% |
-5.27% |
11.96% |
-19.34% |
-17.56% |
6.01% |
15.61% |
Source: Ministry of Mines, Petroleum and Energy, DGH Yearbook
Natural Gas Production
The natural gas production achieved in 2023 is 93,685,809 MMBTU, averaging 256,673 MMBTU per day. Natural gas production has increased by an average of 2.16% annually from 2015 to 2023. The production in 2023 is up by 3.24% compared to 2022, mainly due to the commencement of production from the Whale field and increased sales in block CI-27 (+7.24%).
The electricity sector is the main outlet for natural gas, with an annual consumption in 2023 of 86,934,370 MMBTU, corresponding to 92.79% of the total quantity of natural gas sold.
Natural Gas Production by Block from 2015 to 2023
|
Blocks |
Fields |
Production (millions MMBTU) |
||||||||
|
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
||
|
CI-11 |
Lion and Panther |
5.48 |
3.92 |
7.58 |
3.82 |
5.73 |
6.7 |
5.77 |
3.92 |
2.64 |
|
CI-26 |
Espoir |
15.92 |
15.33 |
11.69 |
13.77 |
11.69 |
9.45 |
6.52 |
7.24 |
5.94 |
|
CI-27 |
Foxtrot, Mahi, Marlin, and Manta |
56.11 |
60.72 |
54.13 |
48.10 |
52.52 |
60.23 |
70.78 |
78.29 |
83.96 |
|
CI-40 |
Baobab |
1.08 |
4.66 |
2.68 |
3.39 |
3.85 |
0 |
0.74 |
0.86 |
701.98 |
|
CI-101 CI-802 |
Whale |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
435.08 |
|
Total |
78.60 |
84.63 |
76.09 |
69.09 |
73.79 |
76.37 |
83.814 |
90.320 |
93.25 |
|
|
Variation (%) |
4.37% |
7.68% |
-10.10% |
-9.19% |
6.80% |
3.49% |
9.75% |
7.76% |
3.24% |
|
Source: Ministry of Mines, Petroleum and Energy, DGH Yearbook
Outlook
The sector's outlook is driven by phase 2 of the development of the Whale field, discovered in September 2021 and commenced production in August 2023. The estimated reserves of the Whale field are 2.5 billion barrels of crude oil and 3,300 billion cubic feet of natural gas, following a second discovery in July 2022, confirming the extension of the field into the adjacent CI-802 block. To date, the proven reserves of Whale are those of phase 1, estimated at 35.4 MMBBLS (barrels of crude oil) and 58 BCF (billion cubic feet) of natural gas.
The realization of the second phase will bring the total production of the field to an average output of 50,000 barrels/day of crude oil and 60 million cubic feet per day of associated natural gas. A phase 3 of development is expected to increase the production of the Whale field to approximately 150,000 barrels/day of crude oil and 200 million cubic feet per day starting in 2027.
Furthermore, significant investments are underway in various oil fields to increase production and transportation capacities:
- Intensification of promotional campaigns for blocks and exploration activities to discover new reserves of crude oil and natural gas;
- Development of the CI-27 field;
- Preparation for drilling phase 4 of the development of the Espoir field in block CI-26;
- 5th phase of the BAOBAB field (CI-40);
- Development of the KOSSIPO field in block CI-40;
- Commencement of production from marginal fields in the Ivorian sedimentary basin, notably the development of fields in blocks CI-525 (Kudu and Eland), CI-523 (Ibex), and CI-103 (Peacock);
Thus, due to the development of the various phases of the Whale field and investments in other fields, national crude oil production is expected to grow significantly between 2024 and 2027, increasing from 29,458 barrels/day in 2023 to 175,346 barrels/day in 2027, representing an average annual increase of about 56% over the period. As for natural gas production, it is expected to progress by approximately 13% annually, rising from 242,558 MMSCF/J in 2023 to 397,060 MMSCF/J in 2027, thus ensuring sufficient supply of natural gas to the electricity sector for thermal power plants.