Apache will start drilling new oil wells in the East Bahariya concession in the Western Desert during Q3 2018, Egypt Oil & Gas reported.

The American company plans to start production from these wells six months after the beginning of drilling.

The company is also planning to start drilling in the West Kanayes and West Kalabsha areas after collecting promising seismic data.

The announcements came during a meeting between Minister of Petroleum Tarek El Molla  and Apache officials in which they discussed the company’s Western Desert operations.

Additionally, they discussed the international bid round offered by the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) for 11 areas, including five areas in the Western Desert where Apache’s work is concentrated.