Saipem wins $260M offshore drilling contract from Eni for Côte d'Ivoire campaign
Type: Supply Agreement · Technology: Oil Gas · Country: Côte d'Ivoire · Value: $260M · Announced: 2026-07-22
Saipem secured a $260 million offshore drilling contract from Eni for the deployment of its Santorini drillship. The contract covers a long‑term development drilling campaign offshore Côte d'Ivoire, targeting the recently discovered Calao South field that holds up to 5 trillion cubic feet of gas and 450 million barrels of condensate. The Santorini, a 228‑metre seventh‑generation drillship acquired by Saipem in December 2022, can operate in water depths up to 12,000 feet and will begin operations in early 2027. The award gives Saipem greater visibility for its high‑specification assets while supporting Eni’s expansion of its West African portfolio, which it has been active in since 2015. The deal includes options for additional work and possible deployment of the drillship in neighboring countries, enhancing Saipem’s competitive positioning in offshore drilling. No advisors or legal counsel were disclosed in the announcement.
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