Italian energy services company Saipem has secured a deepwater drilling contract worth approximately $260 million from Eni Côte d’Ivoire Limited, supporting the development of offshore oil fields near the coast of Côte d’Ivoire.
The contract will involve the deployment of the Santorini drillship, with operations expected to begin in early 2027. The vessel will undertake a long-term drilling programme focused on developing reserves that have already been identified in the country’s offshore basin.
According to Saipem, the agreement includes an initial confirmed work period as well as options that could extend the campaign and allow the Santorini to support additional projects in neighbouring West African markets.
The company said the award would improve the utilisation of its advanced drilling fleet and further strengthen its position in West Africa, which has emerged as an important region for offshore energy investment.
Unlike exploration drilling, which is carried out to identify new oil and gas deposits, development drilling focuses on preparing confirmed discoveries for commercial production. This typically involves constructing production wells and injector wells to support the efficient extraction of resources.
The programme assigned to the Santorini reflects the progress of Côte d’Ivoire’s offshore sector following major discoveries made by Eni in recent years. These discoveries have encouraged increased investment in infrastructure and production capacity across the country’s marine basin.
The option to extend the drillship’s operations into other West African countries also reflects a wider industry trend. Energy companies are increasingly using regional agreements to maintain the continuous deployment of high-specification drilling units and reduce operational downtime.
The contract highlights the growing importance of West Africa in the global deepwater drilling market. Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Angola and Namibia have attracted significant attention from international operators pursuing long-term offshore development programmes.
For Saipem, the agreement secures future work for one of its most advanced drilling units. The company’s offshore fleet currently includes 12 drilling rigs and 17 offshore construction vessels.