As part of a strategic push to bolster domestic energy security, Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, led a series of field tours to production sites in the Meleiha and Salam concessions, emphasizing the rapid integration of new wells into the national grid. Accompanied by senior sector officials, the Minister began the program at the Meleiha fields, operated by Agiba Petroleum Company. He was joined by executives from Italy’s Eni, a primary partner in the exploration, development, and production of hydrocarbons within the Meleiha concession.
During the tour, Badawi examined progress on Phase II of the Meleiha Gas Processing Plant Expansion Project, being executed in partnership between Agiba Petroleum Company, PETROJET, and SLB. The project is designed to boost domestic gas output ahead of peak summer demand and facilitate the integration of newly drilled wells into the production network.
The Western Desert visit also saw Badawi lead a field trip to the EDC-73 drilling rig, owned by the Egyptian Drilling Company (EDC), which operates within the Agiba Petroleum Company concession in the Meleiha area. During the visit, the Minister was keen to be present among the workforce on site, where he monitored ongoing operations during the night shift. He asserted that production facilities operate 24/7 to ensure uninterrupted operations and a sustainable energy supply. The Minister commended the efforts of personnel at production sites, praising their vital role in securing energy needs for millions of citizens.
Badawi further inspected production operations at the Salam field, operated by Khalda Petroleum Company, one of Egypt’s leading crude oil producers and a subsidiary of US Apache. The visit was attended by senior representatives from the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (MoPMR), the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC), and the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS).
The Minister pointed out Khalda Petroleum as a successful model in applying modern contractual frameworks in collaboration with international service and technology companies. These performance-based systems have accelerated well‑drilling programs, reduced costs, increased production, facilitated the transfer of advanced technologies, and enhanced operational efficiency. He reaffirmed the ministry’s full support for all initiatives aimed at expediting the connection of new wells to the production grid and maximizing resource utilization, efforts that are vital to boosting domestic output and safeguarding the nation’s energy security.
Badawi listened to a briefing by Moataz Atef, Khalda Petroleum Chairman, explaining that the company has set a proactive plan to increase production rates and accelerate implementation ahead of the summer season, in cooperation with EGAS and Egyptian Natural Gas Company (GASCO).
