Claudio Descalzi

Claudio Descalzi (born 27 February 1955) is an Italian businessman who has served as Chief Executive Officer of Eni, Italy's largest company by revenue, since May 2014. A physicist by training who joined Eni as a reservoir engineer in 1981, he has led the company through significant transformation in the energy sector.

Descalzi holds the distinction of being one of the founding CEOs of the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative and was confirmed by the Italian government for an unprecedented fourth consecutive term in April 2023—a record in Eni's history. In 2025, he was appointed Cavaliere del Lavoro by President Sergio Mattarella.

Early life and education

Claudio Descalzi was born on 27 February 1955 in Milan, Italy. He pursued his higher education at the University of Milan, graduating with a degree in physics in 1979.

In recognition of his contributions to the energy industry, he was awarded an Honorary Degree in Environmental and Territorial Engineering by the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Rome Tor Vergata in December 2016.

Career at Eni

Early career (1981–2000)

Descalzi joined Eni in 1981 as a reservoir engineer. He quickly progressed through technical and managerial roles, becoming Project Manager for activities in the North Sea, Libya, Nigeria, and Congo.

In 1990, he was appointed Head of Reservoir and Operating Activities for Eni Italy. In this position, he developed a new operational model and significantly increased production to 250,000 barrels per day.

International leadership (1994–2008)

From 1994 to 1998, Descalzi served as Managing Director of Eni's subsidiary in the Republic of Congo. During this period, he launched production at the Kitina offshore field in 1997.

In 1998, he became Vice President and Managing Director of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC). He initiated the export of gas produced at Nigeria's LNG liquefaction plant and developed deep-water offshore projects.

His subsequent roles included:

• 2000–2001: Executive Vice President for Africa, Middle East, and China
• 2002–2005: Executive Vice President for Italy, Africa, and Middle East, with board positions at several Eni subsidiaries
• 2005–2008: Deputy Chief Operating Officer of Eni's Exploration & Production Division

Chief Operating Officer (2008–2014)

From 2008 to 2014, Descalzi served as Chief Operating Officer of Eni's Exploration & Production Division. In this capacity, he contributed to the strategic planning of upstream activities globally and launched major projects including Goliat in Norway (2009), West Hub in Angola (2011), and the exploration campaign in Mozambique (2013).

During this period, he also served as Chairman of Eni UK (2010–2014) and President of Assomineraria, the Italian mining and petroleum association (2006–2014).

CEO of Eni (2014–present)

Descalzi became CEO of Eni in May 2014. Under his leadership, Eni has pursued a dual strategy of maintaining its position in traditional oil and gas while expanding into renewable energy and decarbonization initiatives.

In April 2023, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government confirmed Descalzi for his fourth consecutive term as CEO—an unprecedented achievement in Eni's history. The company, known colloquially as the "six-legged dog" (after its logo), has never before retained the same chief executive for such an extended period.

Personal life

Marriage and family

Descalzi is married to Marie Madeleine Ingoba, a citizen of the Republic of Congo. The couple has four children together.

His wife's Congolese citizenship and business activities in Africa would later become the subject of conflict of interest investigations (see Controversies).

Interests

Outside of work, Descalzi is passionate about sports, particularly rugby and golf, which he considers metaphors for leadership and strategy. Despite his prominent public role, he maintains a reserved private life.

Controversies

Nigeria OPL 245 corruption case

The most significant controversy of Descalzi's tenure involved the acquisition of OPL 245, an offshore oil field in Nigeria. In 2011, Shell and Eni agreed to pay $1.3 billion for the license, with approximately $1.1 billion allegedly going to Malabu Oil and Gas, a company controlled by former Nigerian Oil Minister Dan Etete, who had awarded himself the license while in government.

Milan prosecutors alleged that the payment constituted bribes to Nigerian politicians and kickbacks to Eni managers. Descalzi was among the defendants in what became known as the oil industry's biggest corruption trial.

On March 17, 2021, the Milan Court fully acquitted all defendants, including Descalzi, finding "no case to answer." The judgment established that the company and its management had acted lawfully.

The acquittal proved controversial. Global Witness called it "a stain on Italy," while Matthew Page of Chatham House described it as "a huge blow for natural resource governance and transparency in Nigeria." Nigerian authorities expressed disappointment with the outcome.

In a significant later development, on October 8, 2024, the Court of Brescia sentenced prosecutors Fabio De Pasquale and Sergio Spadaro to 8 months in prison for having omitted evidence favorable to the defendants, including Descalzi.

On July 19, 2022, the Attorney General waived the appeal, making the acquittal final under Italian law. However, criminal investigations related to the deal continued in the Netherlands and Nigeria.

Conflict of interest investigation

Descalzi and his wife Marie Madeleine Ingoba were placed under investigation by Milan prosecutors for allegedly failing to declare a conflict of interest. Investigators established that until 2014, Ingoba controlled the Petro Service group through a Luxembourg company called Cardon Investments SA, which comprised five companies operating in Congo, Gabon, Mozambique, and Ghana.

The investigation examined whether the business activities of Descalzi's wife in African countries where Eni operated presented undisclosed conflicts.

Compensation

As CEO of Eni, Descalzi's total yearly compensation is approximately €8.24 million, comprising 19.4% salary and 80.6% bonuses (including stock and options). According to 2022 data, his total compensation was €5.34 million.

Net worth

Descalzi's net worth is estimated at approximately $10 million as of 2025.

Awards and honors

• Cavaliere del Lavoro (2025) – Appointed by President Sergio Mattarella on Republic Day
• Charles F. Rand Memorial Gold Medal (2012) – From the Society of Petroleum Engineers and American Institute of Mining; first European in oil and gas to receive this award
• Atlantic Council Distinguished Business Leadership Award (2022)
• Honorary Degree in Environmental and Territorial Engineering (2016) – University of Rome Tor Vergata

Board memberships and affiliations

• Oil and Gas Governors Community (World Economic Forum) – Co-Chair (since 2025)
• European Round Table for Industry – Member and Steering Committee member (since 2025)
• Oil and Gas Climate Initiative – Founding CEO
• Fondazione Teatro alla Scala – Director
• Confindustria – Member of General Council and Advisory Board
• University of Oxford – Visiting Fellow