**Eni Initiates Gas Production from Argo Cassiopea Field Offshore Sicily**
In a significant development for the Italian energy landscape, Eni has successfully commenced gas production from the Argo Cassiopea field located in the Strait of Sicily. This achievement marks a major milestone, achieved just three years after the onset of construction works.
The Argo Cassiopea production project, a joint venture between Eni and Energean, leverages advanced subsea technology to extract gas from one of four newly drilled wells. The extracted gas is transported through a 60-kilometer subsea pipeline to the Gela processing plant. At Gela, the gas undergoes thorough processing before being integrated into Italy’s national grid, thereby bolstering the country’s energy supply.
This underwater operation results in minimal visual impact and virtually zero emissions, aligning with Eni’s commitment to sustainable energy practices. To further enhance sustainability, a dedicated installation of 3.6 megawatt peak photovoltaic panels will ensure the project achieves carbon neutrality for Scope 1 and 2 emissions.
### Key Highlights:
– **Reserves and Production:** The Argo Cassiopea field is estimated to hold approximately 10 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas, with peak annual production expected to reach 1.5 bcm.
– **Partnership and Investment:** Eni operates the field with a 60% stake, while Energean holds the remaining 40%. Notably, Energean is currently in the process of transferring its stake in Argo Cassiopea, along with other exploration and production (E&P) interests in the Mediterranean Sea, to an entity controlled by Carlyle International Energy Partners.
– **Innovative Approach:** The Argo Cassiopea project showcases Eni’s commitment to advancing low-emission energy sources. This initiative plays a pivotal role in Eni’s strategy to enhance domestic natural gas utilization for both