Ivory Coast Accelerates Offshore Growth with Ambitious Oil & Gas Plans

When people think of Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), they often think of cocoa production rather than offshore energy. However, that perception is beginning to change.

The country has set an ambitious goal of becoming one of Africa’s top five oil and gas producers by 2035, and recent developments suggest it is making significant progress towards achieving that ambition.

A Rapidly Growing Offshore Sector

Cote d’Ivoire’s offshore industry has accelerated following the development of the Baleine Field – the country’s largest hydrocarbon discovery to date.

Discovered in 2021 and brought into production in 2023, Baleine is estimated to contain around 2.5 billion barrels of oil and 3.3 trillion cubic feet of associated natural gas. The project represents one of the fastest upstream developments seen in West Africa in recent years.

As a result, the country’s crude oil production increased by around 50% during 2024, reaching approximately 44,000 barrels per day, with further production growth expected over the coming decade.

The Ivorian government has set ambitious production targets of 500,000 barrels of oil per day by 2035, supported by continued investment in offshore exploration and field development.

Investment Continues

Momentum is also being reinforced by major contractors investing in the region.

Engineering company Saipem has secured a contract worth US$260 million from Eni Côte d’Ivoire for a long-term offshore drilling campaign. The drillship Santorini is expected to begin operations in early 2027, signalling continued confidence in the country’s offshore potential.

Projects of this scale typically require a broad range of offshore expertise throughout their lifecycle, from exploration and drilling through to inspection, survey, subsea operations and field support.

What Could This Mean for Offshore Freelancers?

While Côte d’Ivoire is still developing as an offshore market, the long-term outlook is encouraging.

As investment increases, demand is likely to grow across a range of disciplines, including:

• Offshore Survey
• ROV Operations
• Subsea Engineering
• Geotechnical and Geophysical Services
• Drilling and Well Services
• Marine Operations
• Project and Construction Support

Although many opportunities will initially be filled through existing project supply chains, sustained investment often creates wider demand for experienced offshore contractors as projects move from exploration into development and production.

A Region Worth Watching

West Africa has long been an important offshore region, but Côte d’Ivoire is emerging as one of its most closely watched markets.

With government backing, continued operator investment and several major developments progressing, the country appears well positioned for long-term growth.

For offshore professionals looking ahead to the next few years, Côte d’Ivoire is certainly a market worth keeping on the radar.