Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Karim Badawi, inspected the offshore drilling  El-QAHERII jack-up rig, operated by Modern Drilling Company (MDC) in Alexandria, before its transfer to its next drilling site at Denise W 1X exploratory well in the Temsah concession, offshore Port Said in the Mediterranean Sea.

The Denise W 1X well, set to be drilled in deep waters at depths exceeding 4,000 meters through slanted drilling operations, is a significant project managed by Belayim Petroleum Company (Petrobel)—a joint venture between the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) and Italy’s Eni.

Badawi emphasized that the site visit aligns with the  Ministry’s wider strategy to increase oil and gas production, attract investment into exploration and development, and further reduce Egypt’s reliance on imported energy.

“The intensification of drilling programs reflects the confidence and ongoing commitment of our investment partners, especially Eni, to the continuous exploration and production operations. These efforts are key to maintaining growth in domestic gas production and achieving new discoveries that will enhance our production capacity,” the Minister said.

During the visit, the rig team presented a documentary highlighting El-QAHERII jack-up rig technical features and safety procedures. A technical briefing followed, outlining the drilling strategy for the Dennis field. Badawi also met with operations leaders and commended their dedication to implementing innovative technologies in challenging offshore environments.

El-QAHERII jack-up rig is among Egypt’s flagship offshore rigs, equipped with leading-edge technologies and developed in collaboration with global oilfield services provider Schlumberger. With a capacity to drill to a depth of up to 30,000 feet, the platform stands as a cornerstone of Egypt’s ongoing drive to expand offshore exploration.