Gas
Eni starts up offshore gas recovery project in North Africa
An Italian energy company has commenced operations at an offshore facility designed to capture flared gas and supply domestic power plants.
Key points
- The new offshore installation captures associated gas previously lost to flaring during crude extraction.
- The facility yields an annual volume reaching 700 million cubic metres, according to The Libya Observer.
- Project developers estimate a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to roughly 1.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.
What happened
Energy firm Eni has initiated operations at a newly finished offshore plant intended to curb gas flaring during petroleum extraction. Business Insider Africa reported that the infrastructure integrates directly with existing marine facilities to process associated natural gas that would otherwise burn off at the wellhead.
As detailed by The Libya Observer, the installation handles an annual output ceiling of 700 million cubic metres. The initiative aims to bolster domestic electricity generation while lowering environmental pollution. Eni estimates that capturing this industrial byproduct will eliminate approximately 1.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in greenhouse gases each year.
What comes next
The current development complements earlier regional infrastructure efforts, such as the Sabratha compression initiative situated at the Bahr Essalam field. According to The Libya Observer, combining these two ventures could yield roughly 1.5 billion cubic metres of fuel annually once full operational targets are met.
Retained gas supplies will feed internal electricity grids across the region. Furthermore, the output supports potential gas shipments to European markets through the Greenstream pipeline corridor. The undertaking forms part of a wider capital expenditure plan wherein Eni and the National Oil Corporation have each committed 4 billion US dollars toward expanding marine energy assets.
Why it matters
Capturing routine flaring offers a dual advantage for hydrocarbon-producing nations by securing fuel for domestic power generation while cutting emissions. With international energy markets reflecting elevated commodity valuations—evidenced by Henry Hub natural gas trading at 3.22 US dollars per MMBtu on 14 October 2026 according to US EIA figures—minimising resource waste holds strong commercial value for African producers.
For investors and policymakers across the continent, successfully executing large-scale emission-reduction projects demonstrates how upstream asset development can align with environmental standards. Integrating captured volumes into local grids also addresses reliability deficits, offering a scalable model for other hydrocarbon-rich jurisdictions seeking to monetise associated gas instead of burning it.
Original reporting
This article draws on the following reports. Read them in full on the publishers’ sites.
Context from CEII
Gas is the flexible backbone of many grids and the designated transition fuel in many national plans, from LNG trade to domestic LPG and CNG. Supply security and pricing drive both power reliability and emissions.
21.9% of electricity in the world came from gas in 2024Countries in this story
Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
