Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, met with Claudio Descalzi, CEO of Eni, during his participation in the ADIPEC Exhibition and Conference 2025 in Abu Dhabi to accelerate the company’s exploration and production plans in the Mediterranean.

The Minister asserted the significance of the accelerated drilling program at the Zohr field to boost production. He praised the recent positive results from new wells, noting that Zohr contributes nearly 25% of Egypt’s domestic gas production.

These achievements follow the successful drilling of the Zohr-9 well in October, which encountered a gas-bearing layer with an estimated output of about 70 million cubic feet per day (mmcf/d), aligning with the field’s development plan.

In addition, Badawi praised the recent agreement to utilize the Egyptian infrastructure to transport Cypriot gas, stressing the readiness of Egyptian facilities to receive gas from the Cronos field

In the same meeting, Badawi praised the recent agreement to utilize Egyptian infrastructure to transport Cypriot gas, stressing the readiness of Egyptian facilities to receive gas from the Cronos field. Egypt and Cyprus signed a series of agreements in October concerning the transfer, supply, processing, and liquefaction of gas from Cronos for export, marking a decisive step toward the project’s Final Investment Decision (FID).

In a separate meeting, Badawi met with Clay Neff, President of Chevron International Exploration and Production. The two leaders explored opportunities for expanding the company’s investments, particularly in the promising areas for oil and gas Upstream activities in the Red Sea.

During the meeting, both sides reviewed US Chevron’s ongoing activities and plans, especially in light of its recent success alongside Shell in acquiring two new concessions for natural gas exploration in the Mediterranean.

Badawi invited both Descalzi and Neff to participate in the upcoming Egypt International Energy Show in 2026 (EGYPES).