BG Delta Limited, a subsidiary of Shell plc, and its partners have taken a Final Investment Decision (FID) on the Phase 12a development project in Egypt’s West Delta Deep Marine (WDDM) concession offshore the Mediterranean Sea, according to a Shell’s press release.

The project, which involves the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS), the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC), and the Malaysian state-owned energy company Petronas, will develop three deepwater subsea wells, with first gas expected in 2028.

Phase 12a will replicate the development model used in WDDM Phases 10 and 11, with the new wells tied back to existing subsea infrastructure operated by the Burullus Gas Company joint venture.

According to Shell, using existing infrastructure will help shorten the project execution timeline, improve capital efficiency, and limit the need for additional facilities.

“This investment demonstrates our commitment to maximizing the remaining potential in WDDM where the right technical and commercial conditions exist,” said Dalia Elgabry, Vice President and Country Chair of Shell Egypt.

Elgabry added that leveraging existing infrastructure and Shell’s development experience would help accelerate project delivery while supporting the company’s partnership with the Egyptian government and its joint venture partners.

The Phase 12a development is expected to support Egypt’s efforts to strengthen domestic natural gas supplies and enhance energy security by sustaining production from the country’s established offshore gas assets.

Shell said the project also reflects its focus on disciplined capital allocation and developments that can leverage existing infrastructure.

The WDDM concession is a large offshore oil and natural gas concession in the Mediterranean Sea, off Egypt’s Nile Delta coast. The area has been developed through multiple phases, with gas produced through subsea wells connected to existing offshore infrastructure.

The Phase 12a FID reinforces Shell’s ongoing partnership with Egypt as the country seeks to maintain gas production and secure supplies for power generation and industrial demand.

Shell’s operations in Egypt are focused mainly on offshore natural gas, particularly in the Mediterranean, where it has interests in the WDDM, Rosetta, and Northeast El Amriya concessions, alongside a stake in Egyptian  Liquefied Natural Gas Company (ELNG) that operates the Idku LNG plant.