Chevron and Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources reported positive results from drilling the Nargis-2 natural gas well in the Mediterranean Sea, with drilling confirming the extension of previously discovered gas-bearing formations and identifying an additional gas-bearing layer, according to a statement by the ministry on October 24.

Drilling operations began in May 2026 in cooperation with Chevron’s partners and the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS). The results will support further evaluation of the Nargis discovery, made in 2022, and studies into its commercial development.

The well was drilled to a final depth of more than 5,000 metres. Evaluation results identified gas-bearing formations with a net thickness of up to 35 metres, supporting further technical studies to assess the discovery’s overall resource potential and development prospects.

The drilling programme aimed to evaluate the extension of the Nargis discovery and test deeper geological formations, including those characterised by high pressure and temperature, as part of efforts to expand exploration activities in the Mediterranean.

The results support Egypt’s strategy to accelerate the development of undeveloped discoveries, encourage investment partners to intensify exploration, and convert discovered resources into recoverable reserves, helping boost domestic natural gas production.

Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi witnessed the start of drilling at Nargis-2 in May aboard the Stena Forth drilling vessel.

He highlighted the importance of accelerating the evaluation and development of undeveloped gas discoveries and strengthening cooperation with international energy companies.

Chevron operates the Nargis area in partnership with Italy’s Eni, the UAE’s Mubadala Energy, and Egypt’s Tharwa Petroleum.

Discovered in December 2022, Nargis field holds an estimated natural gas reserve of approximately 3.5 trillion cubic feet (tcf). Commercial operations at the deepwater asset are slated to begin production in 2025 under a partnership among Chevron, the main operator with a 45% interest; Eni’s subsidiary, IEOC, with 45%; and Tharwa Petroleum Company, which holds the remaining 10% stake.