Egypt witnessed a series of new oil and natural gas discoveries in the Nile Delta, Western Desert, and Eastern Desert, adding over 5,000 barrels per day (bbl/d) of oil and 42 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (mmscf/d).

In the onshore Nile Delta region, two natural gas discoveries were made,  the first in two years. The first was made by Harbour Energy through Disouq Petroleum Company (DISOUCO) after drilling the  North Sidi Ghazy 1-9 exploration well. The second was made by the UAE’s Dana Gas through El Wastani Petroleum Company (WASCO) in the West Qantara area from the Salma Delta-6 well. Both discoveries are being prepared for production with a combined estimated output of 19 mmscf/d of gas. 

In the Western Desert, Khalda Petroleum Company made several new discoveries, including the SHAI-3X and WD 33J-1X wells, which have been added to the production map with a total output exceeding 3,550 barrels of crude oil and 23 mmcf/d of gas.

In addition, Agiba Petroleum Company made the  Dorra-44 discovery, producing over 500 bbl/d, while the General Petroleum Company (GPC) made the (GPU-1X) discovery in the Abu Senan area, now producing 350 bb/d.

Petrosannan Petroleum Company also made a new discovery in the East Alam El Shawish area of the Western Desert through a well (HG34/1 D-1X), connected to production with an output of about 1,000 bbl/d of oil.

Meanwhile, Petrobaker Petroleum Company and Cheiron made three discoveries in the Eastern Desert as well as South Ghazalat and North Um Baraka areas in the Western Desert, with reserve evaluation and well testing currently underway.

The new Western Desert discoveries have begun production from untapped geological layers, encouraging operating companies to test deeper formations. The Ministry’s statement noted that the application of artificial intelligence technologies also contributed to the success of several wells.

Since July, the sector has witnessed 18 new oil and gas discoveries. Of these, 13 have already been put into production, contributing a daily output of 14,000 bbl/d and condensates and 44 mmcf  of natural gas.

The new discoveries come within the framework of of the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources’ ongoing efforts to boost domestic production and lower the import bill, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi said.