Vaalco Energy (LSE:EGY), restarted production at the Baobab field on the CI-40 block offshore Côte d'Ivoire following completion of a planned FPSO refurbishment.
Production has resumed from four producing wells with the remaining three expected to come online shortly, the FPSO returned from a nine-month refit in Dubai in early Q2 2026 and the field is performing in line with Vaalco's expectations, and Vaalco is an independent energy company with production, development and exploration assets in Gabon, Egypt, Côte d'Ivoire and Equatorial Guinea.
"We are at a critical junction, with successes in the Gabon drilling campaign and the Baobab field returning to production, and we believe that the remainder of 2026 will be very impactful," George Maxwell, Vaalco's Chief Executive Officer, said.
The FPSO ceased hydrocarbon operations in January 2025, was refurbished to extend its operational life and was moored into position and re‑connected to the field infrastructure upon return.
The refurbishment supports a Phase 5 development drilling programme expected to begin in the second half of 2026 and to include four producers, two to three injectors and two workovers.
Vaalco also noted the CI-40 block licence has been extended through 2038.
