Our exploration and production in the Congo are governed by a production sharing agreement. Production is from the fields in Nené Marine and Litchendjili (65%), Zatchi (55.25%), Loango (42.5%), Ikalou (100%), Djambala (50%), Foukanda and Mwafi (58%), Kitina (52%), Awa Paloukou (90%), M’Boundi (82%), Kouakouala (74.25%), Zingali and Loufika (100%), fields with an overall production of approximately 93 kboe/d (67 kboe/d net to Eni). OFields not operated, lying in the production permits of Pointe-Noire, Grands Fonds and Likouala (35%) with an overall production of approximately 56 kboe/d (approximately 20 kboe/d).
In 2019 development work was on the producing project Nené Marine in the block Marine XII, in phase 2A. The same year saw drilling and the sealine to the production platform in the field Litchendjili in the block Marine XII finished, as well as the water re-injection project for operated fields in production in Loango and Zatchi, for developing the Nené Marine project, approved in December 2018 and now in phase 2B. Finally, in the same year we started engineering work to increase the 170 MW electrical capacity of Congo power station (20% owned by Eni), by installing a third turbine.
In 2020 production start-up was achieved at the Nené phase 2b project in the Marine XII block (Eni operator with a 65% interest) by means of the linkage to the existing production platform in the area. The full field development phase is expected in the second half of 2022. Development activities concerned the expansion of the CEC power plant (Eni’s interest 20%), increasing the electricity generation capacity to 484 MW. Natural gas supply to the plant will be ensured by the Marine XII block production.
During 2021, in line with Eni’s strategy of production portfolio rationalization:
Eni relinquished the Loango II (Enis’ interest 42.5%) and Zatchi II (Eni’s interest 55.25%) production assets, effective from 1 January 2022
the PSA contract of the Marine XII production block (Eni operator with a 65% interest) was amended to include a new tax regime dedicated to LNG projects
Ongoing studies provides for a fast-track development project to monetize the associated and non-associated gas in the area both for the domestic power generation and LNG export, also targeting to support zero routine flaring. The export project consists of two modular and in phases LNG liquefaction plants with a capacity of approximately 2 million tonnes/year at plateau. Start-up is expected in 2023
other development activities concerned the additional development phase of the Nené-Banga production field in the Marine XII block with a construction of a new production platform. Start-up is expected in the second half of 2022.