BP has announced that along with its regional partner, the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Co. (EGAS), it has sanctioned a fast-track scheme to develop the deepwater Atoll gas field Phase 1 project in Egypt, reported UPI.

According to Rig Zone, Atoll Phase One is an early production scheme (EPS) involving the recompletion of the existing exploration and production well, the drilling of two extra wells, and the installation tie-ins and facilities required for production in the field. The project, which will commence in the first half of 2018, aims to bring up to 300mcf/d of gas to the Egyptian domestic gas market.

BP North Africa Regional President, Hesham Mekawi, was quoted by Offshore Energy Today saying: “BP is proud to progress the acceleration of the Atoll project, which will bring critical gas to the Egyptian market and establish a new material hub offshore East Nile Delta.”

BP announced the Atoll discovery in March 2015 and has a 100% interest in the concession.