Eni Congo Contracts Bourbon for Crewboat Fleet Renewal

Eni Congo, a subsidiary of Italy’s energy giant Eni, has partnered with French maritime services provider Bourbon to enhance its offshore operations in Congo. The five-year contract with Bourbon marks a significant milestone in reducing emissions associated with offshore personnel transport.

The agreement involves the charter of six new, advanced S200X-G2 crewboats to support Eni Congo’s activities off the coast of Congo. These vessels are scheduled to be gradually commissioned between June and December 2026, with interim vessels deployed to ensure operational continuity.

Designed to meet Eni’s operational and environmental standards, the new crewboats are expected to achieve a 20% fuel savings in transit compared to previous models. This efficiency is attributed to an optimized hydrodynamic design, advanced propulsion system, and real-time energy performance monitoring system integrated during construction.

The crewboats, equipped with 30 passenger seats and 25 square meters of foredeck space, offer enhanced comfort and functionality. They also feature a redesigned navigation bridge for improved visibility and pilot ergonomics.

François Leslé, CEO of Bourbon Mobility, expressed his confidence in the partnership, stating, “This strategic contract confirms our ability to provide reliable, innovative, and responsible marine solutions. With this new fleet, we are reinforcing our commitment to sustainable and efficient offshore mobility.”

Supporting Eni’s FLNG Operations

The six new crewboats will play a vital role in supporting Eni’s floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) units offshore Congo. Eni’s Congo LNG project in the Marine XII block has been exporting natural gas since February 2024 using the FLNG Tango unit, with a capacity of 0.6 million tons per annum.

The project, which currently produces 1 billion cubic meters per year of LNG, targets gas resources at the Nenè and Litchendjili fields. The upcoming second phase of the project, featuring another FLNG unit, is expected to commence operations by the end of 2025, increasing annual production to 4.5 billion cubic meters.

With Bourbon Congo providing enhanced operational support, Eni’s FLNG operations in Congo are poised for continued success and growth in the coming years.