Eni said it plans to deepen its involvement in Nigeria’s energy industry.
The Italian operator said it will increase oil and gas exploration as it looks to restore on the country’s ailiing refineries.
Chief executive Claudio Descalzi and Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Emmanuele Ibe Kachikwu, met in Rome this week to sign several memorandums of understanding (MOU) to “further strengthen” Eni’s involvement in Nigeria.
Eni also said it would “intensify” oil and gas exploration, onshore and offshore, including deepwater sites.
The plan stands in contrast to majors such as Shell, which are looking to divest onshore holdings that are subject to widespread theft, sabotage and attacks by militant groups.
Since May last year, Eni’s own Brass River crude oil has been under force majeure.