Italy’s energy major Eni has launched start-up activities at the Meleiha Phase 2 (MP2) project in Egypt’s Western Desert, introducing gas-processing capacity of up to 100 million standard cubic feet per day (mmcf/d) as the company develops a new gas hub in the Merged Meleiha concession, according to a press release by Eni.

The project is being implemented through Agiba Petroleum Company, a joint venture (JV) between Eni and the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC). The project’s infrastructure includes development wells, gathering systems, trunklines, and a dedicated gas export pipeline connecting new production to Egypt’s existing gas network.

The facilities are designed to process gas from fields in the area, support the commercialization of resources, and improve operational efficiency. The project is also intended to increase natural gas availability for Egypt’s domestic market, Eni said.

The project builds on Eni’s established operations in the Western Desert, where the company has pursued exploration and development activities around existing infrastructure. In October 2021, Eni announced discoveries in the Meleiha and South West Meleiha concessions with estimated resources of 50 million barrels of oil equivalent in place. The discoveries were expected to support further appraisal and development drilling through Agiba.

Eni has been active in the Egyptian market since 1954, with activities spanning the Western Desert, Gulf of Suez, Nile Delta, and Eastern Mediterranean.