Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources has announced positive results from drilling the Nessim-1X natural gas exploration well in the Temsah concession in the Mediterranean Sea, according to a statement on November 6.

Drilling and preliminary evaluation have revealed a gas-bearing layer with favorable petrophysical properties. Initial estimates indicate approximately 200 Bcf of natural gas in the reservoir, the statement said.

Nessim-1X is located in the Temsah concession, where Italy’s Eni serves as the operator in partnership with Australia’s Woodside. Petrobel, the operating company, carried out the drilling on behalf of the partners.

Technical and reservoir studies are ongoing to further evaluate the reservoir, determine recoverable reserves, and assess the well’s production potential ahead of the preparation of a development and production plan, the ministry said.

Plans are also underway to connect the well to existing production facilities through an approximately 22-kilometer gas pipeline linking it to the Abu Madi-El Gamil pipeline. The connection would allow the partners to use existing infrastructure, shorten the time needed to bring the discovery into production, and support Egypt’s domestic natural gas output, the ministry added.

The discovery comes amid increased exploration and appraisal activity across Egypt’s concession areas, supported by an improving investment climate in the oil and gas sector and the settlement of outstanding payments owed to investment partners.