Saipem Wins €800M in Baleine Subsea and Italian Biorefinery Contracts

Saipem has been awarded two new contracts worth approximately 800 million euros, one offshore Ivory Coast and one onshore in Italy. The first covers subsea work for the Baleine Phase 3 development in water depths of up to 1,300 metres, deploying the construction vessels FDS and Shen Da over roughly three years. The second involves building a new deoxygenation unit at Enilive's biorefinery in Venice, reinforcing Saipem's presence across both traditional offshore energy and the energy transition sector.

 

Overview of the Contracts

 

Saipem has secured two distinct awards spanning different sectors and locations. Together the contracts carry a total value of approximately 800 million euros. One relates to offshore work in Ivory Coast, the other to onshore work in Italy. This combination reflects the company's activity across both traditional and transition markets. Both awards were made by entities connected to the energy major Eni.

The dual nature of the awards illustrates the company's diversified positioning. The offshore contract addresses conventional oil and gas development. The onshore contract supports the production of sustainable fuels. Winning both simultaneously demonstrates breadth across the energy spectrum. This range is central to how the company frames its capabilities.

 

The Baleine Phase 3 Project

 

The offshore contract centres on a significant deepwater development. It was awarded by Eni Côte d'Ivoire and its partners for the Baleine Phase 3 project. This is the third development phase of the Baleine oil and gas field. The field is located offshore Ivory Coast at water depths of up to 1,300 metres. These depths place the work firmly in the deepwater category.

The project builds on earlier phases of the same field development. As a third phase, it extends production infrastructure already established in the area. Phased development of this kind allows operators to expand output progressively. It also concentrates activity within a defined offshore location. This continuity supports efficient use of existing infrastructure and knowledge.

 

Scope of the Subsea Work

 

Saipem's offshore scope covers an extensive range of subsea activities. It includes the engineering, fabrication, transportation and installation of the infrastructure. This encompasses approximately 50 kilometres of rigid pipelines and associated subsea structures. The work also covers the transportation and installation of flexible risers and jumpers. Subsea production systems form a further element of the scope.

The scope extends to gas export and control infrastructure. It includes a three-kilometre flexible gas export flowline for the project. In addition, the work covers 22 kilometres of subsea umbilical. The project is expected to last approximately three years in total. It will involve the deployment of the construction vessels FDS and Shen Da.

 

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The Italian Biorefinery Contract

 

The second contract targets the growing biofuels sector in Italy. It was awarded by Enilive, Eni's company active in biofuels and biomethane production. The contract covers engineering, procurement and construction of a new deoxygenation unit. This unit will be installed at Enilive's biorefinery in Venice, Porto Marghera. It represents an investment in expanding sustainable fuel capacity.

The new unit is designed to boost the biorefinery's output. It will process 70 tonnes per hour of biogenic feedstocks. This will contribute to increasing production capacity of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil biofuel. Such biofuels offer a lower-carbon alternative to conventional fuels. The unit therefore supports the wider shift toward sustainable mobility fuels.

 

Strengthening the Eni Relationship

 

The awards reinforce a broad and deepening relationship with Eni. The biorefinery contract forms part of a wider collaboration agreement between the two companies. That agreement focuses specifically on the field of biorefining. It follows an earlier contract for biojet production at the same Venice biorefinery. That previous award was announced in June 2025.

Both new contracts strengthen ties across multiple areas of activity. The offshore award extends the companies' cooperation in traditional oil and gas. The onshore award deepens their collaboration in sustainable fuels. This dual engagement spans the full breadth of Eni's operations. It positions Saipem as a partner across both established and emerging energy segments.

 

Significance for Saipem

 

The awards demonstrate the company's capabilities across contrasting sectors. They confirm Saipem's ability to deliver complex projects in traditional and transition markets. The offshore work showcases deepwater subsea engineering expertise. The onshore work highlights capability in sustainable fuels infrastructure. This combination underlines the company's versatility across the energy landscape.

The contracts also support the development of strategic energy infrastructure. The offshore project contributes to oil and gas production capacity in West Africa. The onshore project advances sustainable fuel production in Italy. Together they align with both current energy needs and transition objectives. This balance reflects the company's positioning amid a changing energy sector.