bp Egypt has been awarded two more exploration blocks in the Mediterranean offshore Egypt by the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company, according to a statement from the company’s Regional President for North Africa Karim Alaa.
These blocks include the Northwest Abu Qir Offshore Area, in which bp is the operator holding 82.75% and Wintershall-Dea holds 17.25%, as well as the Bellatrix-Seti East Offshore Area, in which bp and Eni, being the operators, hold a 50% share each.
In addition to the two new blocks, this year bp was also awarded the King Mariout Offshore Area (100% bp), the North El Fayrouz offshore area (50% bp and 50% Eni, the operator), and the North El Tabya area extension (100% bp).
Alaa stated that the acquisition of these blocks enables the company to maintain a longer-term plateau production rate while maximizing the use of existing infrastructure, thereby providing a future cost competitive gas supply for Egypt.
“This was achieved through excellent cooperation and continued partnership with the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources,” Alaa said. “I would like to recognize all those teams involved in laying the solid foundations for future business growth opportunities, I really appreciate all the hard work you put in,” he added.
Dawn Summers, Chief Operating Officer and Board member responsible for the MENA region, said “Wintershall Dea has been an investor in Egypt for almost 50 years, we want to enter new projects, and we are delighted to be partnering with bp to explore at North West Abu Qir.”
Sameh Sabry, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Egypt, said “Exploration at North-West Abu Qir complements our natural-gas focused portfolio in Egypt. We will work closely with bp as an active partner, just as we have done at West Nile Delta.”
Wintershall Dea has been a partner for Egypt for almost fifty years. The company is active in multiple natural-gas projects in Egypt: as a partner to bp for the West Nile Delta project, in the Disouco Joint Venture with EGAS at Disouq and as operator of the East Damanhour exploration project.
