Eni Discovers 1Tcf Gas Offshore Libya, Eyes Fast Tie-In to Bahr Essalam
Eni has discovered over one trillion cubic feet of gas in two wells (BESS-2 and BESS-3) 85 km offshore Libya’s Bahr Essalam field in water depths of ~650 ft within the Metlaoui Formation. Proximity to existing Mellitah Oil & Gas infrastructure should enable quick tie-in for domestic and Italian export markets.
1. Discovery Details
Eni’s drilling operations at B2-16/4 and C1-16/4 wells uncovered more than 1 trillion cubic feet of gas around 85 km offshore and 16 km south of the Bahr Essalam field in Block NC41. Both BESS-2 and BESS-3 targets lie in ~650 ft water depth, tapping into the prolific Metlaoui Formation.
2. Reservoir Quality
Initial well tests on BESS-2 confirmed a high-quality reservoir with strong flow rates and stable pressure, underscoring the commercial potential of the find. Geological data suggest the two structures can sustain long-term production benchmarks.
3. Infrastructure Integration
The discoveries’ proximity to Mellitah Oil & Gas platforms and pipelines at the existing Bahr Essalam complex will reduce tie-in time and capital expenditure. Eni plans to fast-track engineering and drilling campaigns to align with ongoing phase-three development.
4. Market Implications
Gas from the new wells will supply Libya’s domestic market and bolster exports to Italy, enhancing revenue visibility. The discovery supports Eni’s 2025 production target of 162,000 boe/d and strengthens its Mediterranean growth strategy.