US Vaalco Energy has kicked off its 2026 onshore Egyptian drilling campaign by bringing the HE‑9 development well online in early June. The well encountered 26 meters of net pay in the Asl B reservoir in the Gulf of Suez, delivering a gross initial flow rate of 529 barrels of oil per day (bbl/d)—a result that surpassed the company’s pre‑drill expectations, noted a statement by Vaalco.

In Gabon, Vaalco said that the Ebouri‑5H well, drilled at the crest of the Ebouri field, encountered 300 meters of net pay in high‑quality Gamba sands. The well is producing 8,000 bbl/d gross, equivalent to 4,700 bbl/d net to Vaalco, with minimal water cut.

“We are very pleased with the strong production from Ebouri‑5H in Gabon and the positive start to our Egypt program with HE‑9. With additional wells planned in Gabon and Egypt, and the restart of the Baobab field, we are confident that 2026 will be a profitable year. Our focus remains on execution, organic growth, and delivering value to shareholders,” George Maxwell, Vaalco’s CEO, commented.

In May, Vaalco announced it would start a six‑well drilling program in Egypt in the second quarter of 2026. The campaign was not included in the original budget and will proceed without increasing the company’s total capital expenditure guidance.