Offshore Sicily gas development under way

Construction has started of the complex in Sicily’s Gela area which will handle gas from the offshore Argo and Cassiopea fields, Eni revealed in its latest results statement.

The associated investments are over €700 million (US$814 million). Work should take three years to complete, with first gas expected in the first half of 2024.

According to the website of partner Energean, the two fields will be developed via four subsea wells (two new wells and two recompletions), with gas exported via a subsea pipeline using existing facilities for the shore approach; and well control and chemical injection from an existing Eni platform.

Energean adds that tie-in points have been included in the production system to allow other discoveries (Panda, Panda West) and low-risk exploration prospects (Gemini, Centauro, Vela) to be tied in to maintain production.

Offshore Côte d’Ivoire, Eni is fast tracking execution plans for its recent deep-water Baleine discovery to supply gas to the domestic market. This will be the first upstream project Eni designs with net zero operational emissions from the outset.

In Egypt, the company has signed an agreement with state energy and gas companies to assess the economic feasibility of green and blue hydrogen production, combined with storage of CO₂ in depleted natural gas fields.

Source: Offshore Magazine