Eni Opens First Agri-Hub in Congo to Boost Biofuel Ambitions

Eni S.p.A E has officially inaugurated its first agri-hub in the Republic of the Congo, signaling a key step in its biofuel supply-chain strategy and broader decarbonization goals. The new facility, located in Loudima in the country’s central-southern region, was launched in the presence of Congolese president Denis Sassou Nguesso and a senior Eni delegation led by the chief operating officer for Global Natural Resources, Guido Brusco.The plant is the country's first industrial-scale vegetable oil extraction facility and is designed to produce up to 30,000 tons of oil per year. The output will be directed to Enilive’s biorefineries, where it will be converted into biofuels to help decarbonize the transport sector — one of the pillars of Eni’s sustainable mobility strategy.E’s Loudima Agri-Hub: A Step Toward Net ZeroThe Loudima agri-hub places the Republic of the Congo as an active participant in the biofuel production chain. The initiative aligns with Eni’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions from products and operations by 2050. Vegetable oil used at the facility will be sourced from crops cultivated on degraded or underutilized land, employing regenerative agricultural methods developed in collaboration with local stakeholders.Importantly, all vegetable oil produced will comply with the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive, ensuring full traceability and adherence to sustainability, biodiversity and labor standards.Eni’s Local Investment Boosts Congo’s Agro-Industrial SectorBeyond decarbonization, the Loudima hub represents a broader investment in Congo’s agro-industrial capabilities. Eni supports the agricultural value chain through advanced mechanization, high-quality seeds and extensive training. Of the 200 agricultural machines committed to the initiative, about half are being used during the ongoing farming season. Approximately 400 local tractor operators are expected to be trained, creating new job opportunities and enhancing technical expertise in rural areas.The facility will also produce vegetable proteins for livestock feed, opening avenues for development in the agri-food sector and enhancing food security.Eni Expands Energy Transition and Social Programs in CongoThe launch of the agri-hub complements other ongoing Eni initiatives in the Republic of the Congo aimed at supporting the country’s energy transition and sustainable development. These include the improved cookstove program, which has already benefited over 300,000 people by reducing biomass consumption and indoor pollution.Eni has been operating in the Congo since 1968 and remains the country’s only company developing its substantial natural gas reserves. It supplies gas to the Congo Power Plant, which generates 70% of the country’s electricity. In 2023, Eni also inaugurated the Oyo Center of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, alongside its ongoing efforts in education, healthcare and economic diversification.With the Loudima agri-hub now operational, Eni reinforces its dual commitment to climate goals and community development in the Republic of the Congo.E’s Zacks Rank & Key PicksE currently carries a Zack Rank #4 (Sell).Investors interested in the energy sector may look at a few better-ranked stocks like Subsea 7 S.A. SUBCY, W&T Offshore, Inc. WTI and Oceaneering International, Inc. OII. Subsea 7 presently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), while W&T Offshore and Oceaneering International carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) each. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.Subsea 7 helps build underwater oil and gas fields. It is a top player in the Oil and Gas Equipment and Services market, which is expected to grow as oil and gas production moves further offshore.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SUBCY’s 2025 EPS is pegged at $1.31. The company has a Value Score of A.W&T Offshore benefits from its prolific Gulf of America assets, which offer low decline rates, strong permeability and significant untapped reserves. The company’s acquisition of six shallow-water fields in the GoA added 18.7 million barrels of proved reserves and 60.6 million barrels of proved plus probable reserves. The firm is focused on strategically allocating capital toward organic projects, which should boost its production outlook. WTI has a Value Score of B.Oceaneering International delivers integrated technology solutions across all stages of the offshore oilfield lifecycle. With a geographically diverse asset portfolio and a balanced revenue mix between domestic and international operations, the company effectively mitigates risk. As a leading provider of offshore equipment and technology solutions to the energy sector, OII benefits from strong relationships with top-tier customers, ensuring revenue visibility and business stability.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for OII’s 2025 EPS is pegged at $1.79. The company has a Value Score of B. Zacks Names #1 Semiconductor StockIt's only 1/9,000th the size of NVIDIA which skyrocketed more than +800% since we recommended it. NVIDIA is still strong, but our new top chip stock has much more room to boom.With strong earnings growth and an expanding customer base, it's positioned to feed the rampant demand for Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Internet of Things. Global semiconductor manufacturing is projected to explode from $452 billion in 2021 to $803 billion by 2028.See This Stock Now for Free >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Eni SpA (E): Free Stock Analysis Report W&T Offshore, Inc. (WTI): Free Stock Analysis Report Oceaneering International, Inc. (OII): Free Stock Analysis Report Subsea 7 SA (SUBCY): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks