Eni announces two gas discoveries in offshore Libya

Italian energy major Eni (BIT: ENI) has announced two new gas discoveries south of its producing Bahr Essalam field in offshore western Libya, while also progressing with the country’s first deepwater exploration well alongside its partner UK oil firm BP (LSE: BP), Energy Intelligence reported on March 16. 

Eni said the two discoveries together contain more than 1 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of gas in place.

Libya currently produces around 2bn cubic feet of gas per day and aims to double output in the coming years while expanding pipeline exports to Europe.

The adjacent structures, Bahr Essalam South 2 (BESS 2) and Bahr Essalam South 3 (BESS 3), were confirmed by the B2-16/4 and C1-16/4 wells, drilled about 85 km off the Libyan coast at water depths of about 650 feet, according to the report. The wells are located roughly 16 km south of the Bahr Essalam gas field.

Eni said gas-bearing intervals were identified in both wells within the Metlaoui Formation, the area’s main productive reservoir. Drilling data indicate the presence of a high-quality reservoir, with productive capacity confirmed by testing conducted on the first well. The company added that the discoveries’ proximity to existing infrastructure should enable rapid tieback to current production facilities.

Eni is also advancing development of additional structures within the Bahr Essalam offshore project as part of efforts to increase domestic gas production. The A structure, expected to start production in 2028, will have A capacity of 150mn standard cubic feet per day (MMscf/d), while the E structure is projected to add more than 600 MMscf/d by 2030.