Egypt Says New Gas Discovery in Nile Delta Adds 50 mcf/d to Output

Egypt has announced a new natural gas discovery in the Nile Delta with an estimated production of around 50 million cubic feet per day (mcf/d). This will add to the country’s current output of about 4.2 billion cubic feet daily. In a statement, the Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ministry said on Saturday that the discovery was achieved following the successful drilling of the exploratory well “Nidoco N-2” in a concession area operated by the Italian Eni in partnership with the British BP. The ministry said the well was drilled onshore using advanced directional drilling technologies, which helped reduce costs and improve operational efficiency. Petroleum Minister Karim Badawi inspected the EDC-56 drilling rig that carried out operations in the West Abu Madi area of Kafr El Sheikh governorate, around 3 km offshore in shallow waters at a depth of approximately 10 meters. The West Abu Madi development area is operated by Eni in partnership with BP and the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation through Petrobel, a joint venture between EGPC and Eni. Also Saturday, Badawi said Egypt reduced arrears owed to international oil and gas partners to about $714 million ⁠by the end of ⁠April 2026 from $6.1 billion ⁠in June 2024, with plans to clear all outstanding dues by the end of June.