Through video conference, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Tarek El Molla inaugurated the second edition of the “Future of Oil and Gas Exploration in the Red Sea” workshop, which was organized by Ganoub El Wadi Petroleum Holding Company (Ganope) in Hurghada in cooperation with the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG).

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Nael Darwish, Ganope Chairman and senior officials from the international petroleum companies operating in the Red Sea region, 115 experts from 36 international companies from 7 countries, and professors of universities and research institutes.

During the opening speech, El Molla stressed the Egyptian state’s interest in the Red Sea region, which is a promising region with great opportunities for oil and gas exploration. This is what prompted it to take serious steps to expedite the search and exploration operations in that region by conducting the necessary studies and collecting geophysical data, as well as applying new, more competitive terms. This will reflect positively in attracting international companies’ investments to work in the Red Sea.

The three-dimensional seismic survey work on an area of ​​6,700 km2 in the Red Sea is about to be completed, which will aid in future research and exploration work, pointing out that new operations are planned to collect seismic data during the coming period, El Molla noted.

The workshop would provide an important platform for discussing the future of research and exploration operations in the Red Sea region, giving the opportunity for participating experts to review modern technologies and advanced solutions. It will also offer professionals the chance to discuss the petroleum work system and geological structures in the Red Sea, especially that the first edition of the workshop in 2018 had a significant impact on identifying opportunities in the region, the minister said.

Meanwhile, Darwish explained that the workshop includes 10 working sessions to discuss 36 research papers. This is in addition to three speakers from international companies in the Red Sea to discuss the importance of the Red Sea Basin as one of the promising areas.