Eni Expands Contractor Team for Côte d'Ivoire Offshore Project with Saipem Award

Italian energy giant Eni has further strengthened its contractor lineup for its offshore Côte d'Ivoire project, awarding a contract to compatriot engineering and construction firm Saipem as part of the development's third phase, according to Offshore Energy. The award marks the latest in a series of contract decisions by Eni as it pushes forward with the West African deepwater project. Saipem, one of the world's leading offshore drilling and subsea construction contractors, brings significant technical expertise to the venture, reinforcing the project team ahead of what is expected to be a demanding execution phase. Côte d'Ivoire has emerged as a focal point for offshore exploration and production activity in recent years, with Eni among the operators investing in the country's deepwater potential. The Italian major has been active in the region for several years, and the phased development approach reflects both the scale of the resource and the complexity of deepwater operations off the West African coast. Saipem's involvement is significant given the company's established track record in subsea infrastructure, pipeline installation, and offshore construction across African waters. The pairing of Eni's operational experience in the region with Saipem's engineering capabilities is expected to support efficient project delivery. The continued contract awards signal growing momentum behind the development and underscore broader industry confidence in West Africa's offshore sector as operators seek to bring new production capacity online. For Côte d'Ivoire, successful execution of the project would represent a meaningful contribution to the country's hydrocarbon output and government revenues. Further details on the scope and value of Saipem's contract were not disclosed at the time of reporting.