VAALCO Energy, Inc. has resumed production at the Baobab field on the CI-40 block offshore Côte d'Ivoire following the successful refurbishment of the Baobab Ivoirien Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel. The restart marks the return of operations after a planned nine-month refurbishment in Dubai, with the FPSO returning to Côte d'Ivoire in early Q2 2026. The company holds the CI-40 block license extended through 2038.

Operational Restart and Timeline

The FPSO at Baobab ceased hydrocarbon operations in January 2025 in line with the project timeline. After the refurbishment, the vessel was moored into position and re-connected to the field infrastructure. Production has resumed from four producing wells, with the remaining three producers expected to come online shortly. The field is currently performing in line with Vaalco's expectations.

Future Development Plans

The refurbishment was undertaken to extend the life of the vessel and ensure its long-term operational capacity. A significant development drilling program at Baobab is planned to begin in the second half of 2026. The Phase 5 drilling program is expected to include four producers, two to three injectors, and two workovers.

Strategic Outlook

George Maxwell, Vaalco's Chief Executive Officer, highlighted the company's progress in the region. "We are excited that the Baobab field on the CI-40 block offshore Côte d'Ivoire has restarted production in line with our projected timeline," Maxwell said. He noted that the company had no assets in Côte d'Ivoire in early 2024 and has since developed a strong position with development and exploration potential. Vaalco remains focused on execution and driving growth through its organic capital programs.