PETROCI CEO Fatoumata Sanogo is set to take the stage at this year’s African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies. With her position at the helm of Ivory Coast’s national oil company, Sanogo is instrumental in shaping the country’s hydrocarbons strategy and driving a new wave of investment and collaboration within the Ivorian energy sector.
Ivory Coast has swiftly emerged as a stable and forward-thinking market in West Africa’s oil and gas industry. Under Sanogo’s leadership, PETROCI is not only solidifying its role as a key player in upstream activities but also actively pushing forward with groundbreaking projects and fostering regional partnerships to expedite energy development and economic progress.
A pivotal project in this endeavor is the Baleine field, which stands as the largest hydrocarbon discovery in Ivory Coast’s history. In collaboration with Eni, PETROCI is working on the Baleine project, which recently entered its second phase of development. This phase is expected to boost production to 70 million cubic feet of gas and 60,000 barrels of oil per day. Eni’s commitment to invest $10 billion over three development phases until 2027 demonstrates a significant long-term commitment to Ivory Coast’s energy sector.
In March 2024, Eni made another significant offshore discovery with the Calao field, estimated to potentially hold between 1 and 1.5 billion barrels of oil equivalent resources. Further assessment through appraisal wells will be necessary to determine the optimal development strategy.
Looking to build on this momentum, PETROCI is actively seeking new partnerships to accelerate the development of additional oilfields. The company has initiated discussions with Angola’s Sonangol to exchange technical expertise and strengthen South-South cooperation. This strategy aligns with a broader vision to deepen regional integration, attract investments, and expedite project delivery by leveraging shared capabilities and aligning development timelines.
“Ivory Coast’s energy sector is supported by strong fundamentals: political stability, a transparent regulatory environment, competitive fiscal terms, and a government that prioritizes long-term investments. The country is a prime destination for oil and gas investments, offering low above-ground risk and high returns across both mature and frontier acreage,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.
With investments exceeding $15 billion anticipated in Ivory Coast’s oil and gas sector, aiming to reach 200,000 barrels of oil per day by 2027, Sanogo will provide exclusive insights into PETROCI’s strategic direction, emerging investment opportunities, and how the company aligns national energy development with regional and global priorities such as energy security, job creation, and sustainable growth.
About AEW: Invest in African Energies:
AEW: Invest in African Energies serves as the go-to platform for project operators, financiers, technology providers, and government officials. It has become the official marketplace for signing deals in African energy. For more information on this exciting event, visit www.AECWeek.com.
