The Energy and Environment Committee of Egypt’s House of Representatives, Chaired by Talaat El Sewedy, approved 11 projects, delegating the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Tarek El Molla, to explore for oil in different regions, according to Sout Al Omma.

It is noteworthy that seven agreements were signed with the international oil companies (IOCs) for oil exploration in the rewarded concessions, mainly the concessions in West Fayoum.

The government submitted a draft law to license El Molla to contract with the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) and Shell Egypt for oil exploration in the West Fayoum region of the Western Desert. Additionally, another draft law authorized El Molla to deal with EGPC and Merlon El Fayoum Company for oil exploration in North Beni Suef.

Furthermore, the Committee approved two agreements in the Gulf of Suez. The first agreement permitted El Molla to contract with EGPC and Neptune Energy Egypt B.V. for oil exploration in Northwest El Aml. The second agreement was with Ganoub El Wadi Petroleum Company (Ganope), Pacific Oil Limited, and ZNPV LTD for oil exploration in Ras Elesh area.

Another project was approved to contract with EGPC and IEOC for oil exploration in Southeast Siwa in the Western Desert.

Moreover, the committee authorized the minister of petroleum to deal with EGPC and Shell Egypt to explore for oil in the Abu Sennan area in the Western Desert. In addition to agreeing with EGPC and another company to explore for oil in Badr 2 and Badr 17 in the Western Desert.

Also, the committee permitted the petroleum minister to deal with EGPC and Apache to amend the exploration agreements of West Kalabsha and West Kanayes in the Western Desert.