Our work in the Republic of Congo

Exploration and development work goes on

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.

Chemicals in the Congo

We play an active role in the Oil & Gas sector, though Versalis and its portfolio of oil field chemicals.

Eni supports energy transition and decarbonization in the country

In October 2021 we signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the joint development of the agro-biofuel sector in the country. The MoU sets the framework for the industrial scale production of castor oil, to provide feedstock for Eni’s bio-refinery system, while also creating employment opportunities and expanding agricultural activities to marginal and abandoned lands, avoiding impacts on agricultural areas and activities currently destined for food production. The pilot phase is set to begin with castor bean sowing activities on over 200 hectares of land, and up to 1,000 estimated beneficiaries. The industrial development phase is expected to see cultivations on 150,000 hectares with 90,000 estimated beneficiaries by 2030. This MoU opens a new area of activity for Eni in Congo, in support of the Congolese National Development Plan for Agriculture 2018-2022, and builds upon Eni’s commitment to contribute to the decarbonisation of African countries’ energy mix, leveraging the contribution that biofuels can make to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

Protecting biodiversity

We are committed to protecting the environment by following the most highly respected international guidelines and adopting a conscientious policy. Chapter 6 of our longform is dedicated to the Congo, Myanmar and Nigeria.

Initiatives to contain the pandemic from Covid-19

In October 2020 we launched with Eni Congo, on the occasion of the start of the school year, an awareness campaign for Covid-19 prevention in the schools involved in the Integrated Project of the Hinda District. The campaign, that will take place in the 11 primary schools and 6 kindergartens built and/or restored by Eni Congo, aims to promote containment measures for Covid-19 and will provide specific training to teachers, dispense face masks to pupils and teachers, and supply hand washing equipment as well as cleaning supplies for the hygiene and sanitation of indoor spaces. The schools involved in the campaign have over 3,400 pupils between 3 and 12 years of age. The awareness campaign meets the Sustainable Development Goals 3 (access to health) and 4 (quality education) and will also include 11 health centres, the CATREP agricultural training centre and the water wells management committees. Moreover, with Eni Congo provided the Departmental Directorate of Health of Kouilou with an ambulance for logistic support and for transfer of suspected Covid-19 cases to Pointe-Noire hospitals. This initiative is one among several already carried out or planned by Eni Congo in partnership with the Ministry of Health and People, and within the Association of Oil Operators of Congo (AOPC), in order to support citizens in the complex situation of the current coronavirus pandemic. Among these initiatives are included the renovation of reception facilities for Covid-19 patients in the Madeleine Mouissou centre and the Adolphe Sicé hospital, now equipped with respirator, and the awareness campaigns and supply of healthcare devices to the population. In addition, in order to improve prevention and health protection of employees and their families, Eni Congo has set up a dedicated unit for screenings and diagnostic tests for Covid-19 in its medical and social centre.