Côte d’Ivoire announces new offshore oil discovery on CI-709 block

The Ministry of Mines, Petroleum and Energy announced in a statement dated June 22, 2026, a new hydrocarbon discovery made by Murphy Côte d’Ivoire in partnership with PETROCI Holding on the CI-709 offshore block.

This development follows the drilling of the Bubale-1X well, which began in late February 2026. The well reached a total depth of 6,263 meters, including a 2,400-meter water column, and revealed approximately 30 meters of net oil pay distributed across two reservoirs. Preliminary analyses indicate high-quality crude oil, reinforcing optimism about the commercial potential of the discovery.

The ministry stated that evaluation work will begin soon, with a new appraisal well scheduled for the second half of 2026. These operations will help further characterize the discovery and assess its impact on future production.

Beyond the technical aspects, this announcement confirms the strong prospectivity of Côte d’Ivoire’s sedimentary basin. It aligns with the national strategy aimed at positioning Côte d’Ivoire among Africa’s leading oil-producing countries by 2035.

In addition, Minister Mamadou Sangafowa-Coulibaly welcomed this breakthrough, emphasizing that it represents a key milestone for the country’s energy future. The discovery on block CI-709 highlights the growing partnership between the state and international operators and opens the door to new economic and industrial opportunities.