The investment would boost Ivory Coast's ambition to develop its extractive industries. : (Bloomberg) -- Perenco is in talks to become the main operator in one of four oil and gas producing blocks in Ivory Coast, according to two people familiar with the matter. The Anglo-French oil company is seeking to buy a controlling stake in block CI-11, currently operated by a consortium that includes the state-run company Petroci, which has a 68% stake. Under the deal, Perenco will operate the asset and hold about 51% of the shares, one of the people said.