**Eni Breaks Milestone with Argo Cassiopea Gas Production Offshore Italy**
In a significant milestone for the Italian energy sector, Eni has successfully initiated gas production from the Argo Cassiopea field located in the Strait of Sicily. This achievement marks the culmination of three years of intensive construction efforts, completed in a joint venture with Energean.
### Key Highlights of the Project
– **Production Commencement**: Initial test production has begun from one of the four subsea wells drilled in recent months. These wells are strategically positioned to optimize gas extraction from the rich reserves in the area.
– **Transportation**: The extracted gas is transported through a 60 km subsea pipeline to the Gela processing plant. This pipeline ensures efficient and reliable transmission of the gas, which will be processed and then fed into Italy’s national grid.
– **Environmental Considerations**: The production process is conducted entirely underwater, minimizing visual impact and resulting in near-zero emissions. Aligning with Eni’s commitment to sustainability, a dedicated installation of 3.6 MWp of photovoltaic panels will ensure that the project achieves carbon neutrality for Scope 1 and 2 emissions.
– **Reserve Estimation and Project Impact**: Argo Cassiopea is estimated to hold approximately 10 billion cubic meters of gas reserves, with peak annual production expected to reach 1.5 billion cubic meters. This project plays a critical role in Eni’s strategy to increase the use of domestic natural gas for both energy security and as a low-emission source.
### Production Timeline and Future Developments
Despite the initial production milestone, Eni expects the remaining wells and associated infrastructure to be brought online over the next few months. This ongoing process will involve thorough testing and commissioning to ensure optimal performance and longevity of the facility.
Moreover, Energean is currently in the process of divesting its stake in the Argo Cassiopea field among other E