The Egyptian Drilling Company (EDC) has been awarded a new contract to operate a 1,500-horsepower (HP) onshore drilling rig for the Kuwait Oil Company (KOC), marking the first time an Egyptian company secures a drilling mandate of this scale with the Kuwaiti giant. Operations are scheduled to start in 20207.

The contract represents a strategic milestone in EDC’s expansion plan within the Gulf market, according to a statement by the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (MoPMR). The move aligns with the MoPMR’s broader strategy to bolster the presence of Egyptian national service companies in international markets.

EDC has maintained a presence in Kuwait since 2022 through a local branch and currently operates a well maintenance rig for KOC. Additionally, the company manages another maintenance rig for the Engineering Refineries Company (ERC) in partnership with a Kuwaiti national firm.

According to the company, EDC’s rigs have consistently ranked high on KOC’s performance indices for operational efficiency and Occupational Health, Safety, and Environment (OHSE) standards.

Building on this record, the company is actively bidding on upcoming Kuwaiti tenders for integrated drilling and well-repair services with international majors such as SLB, Halliburton, and Baker Hughes.

Beyond Kuwait, EDC continues to witness significant growth in Saudi Arabia through its subsidiary, the Drilling and Petroleum Services Company (DPS), which maintains a regional fleet of seven onshore and three offshore rigs. The number of active offshore rigs in Saudi Arabia is expected to rise from three to six by April.

Established in 1976, EDC is a leading drilling contractor in the MENA region, currently owned by the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) and other state petroleum sector entities. The company operates a robust fleet of over 70 rigs, including six jack-ups and two offshore platforms.