RWE DEA has announced the extension of its North Sidi Ghazy-1x discovery in the Nile Delta through the drilling of the NSG-1-2 developmental well.

The new well was drilled in the North Sidi Ghazy structure, reaching a total vertical depth of 9,327 feet below sea surface. The operation confirmed the presence of further gas resources and Messinian (Abu Madi Formation) reservoir properties on the eastern side of the field.

The North Sidi Ghazy-1x gas discovery showed a flow rate of 37 million standard cubic feet per day on a 50/64 inch choke. The latest well has been temporarily suspended and will be completed as producer, along with other wells, later during the current year.

The company has now moved the Weatherford 94 rig to develop the northern extension of the South Sidi Ghazy-1x discovery.

The North Sidi Ghazy1x discovery is considered to be the main asset of RWE’s Disouq project, which is aimed at supplying gas to the growing Egyptian market and is set to start production in 2013.

The first phase of the project will involve the development of seven gas discoveries, to be undertaken jointly with the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) and RWE’s Egyptian joint venture the Suez Oil Company (SUCO).

The Disouq block, located onshore the Nile Delta, was awarded to RWE in July 2004 and covers 5,375 km.

RWE is a Hamburg-based oil and gas exploration firm that has been operating in the Gulf of Suez for 30 years. It owns a total of 12 onshore and offshore conessions in Egypt.