Italian energy giant Eni and its UK-based partner BP used advanced directional drilling techniques to drill an offshore well, leading to a new natural gas discovery off the coast of Egypt, increasing the Middle East’s hydrocarbon resources.
The Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources announced the discovery of natural gas in the Nile Delta region on May 2, 2026, with production rates estimated at approximately 50 million cubic feet per day. This discovery comes after excavation work Nidoku N-2 The exploratory well within the concession area, which is managed by Eni in partnership with BP and the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation, through Petrobel, the joint company between the General Petroleum Corporation and Eni.
Karim BadawiThe Egyptian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources visited EDC-56 The drilling rig that carried out well operations in the West Abu Madi area in Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate. The well is located about 3 kilometers from the shore in shallow water and at a depth of about 10 metres.
The well was drilled from land using directional drilling techniques, which contributed to reducing costs and enhancing operational efficiency. Badawi explains that this discovery, along with increased production from existing fields, reflects the success of the petroleum sector in settling the dues owed to foreign partners, with the goal of full clearance by the end of June.
“This highlights the country’s commitment to enhancing partners’ confidence and promoting an attractive investment environment.” The Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources confirmed.
Badawi believes that the regular settlement of dues encouraged the partners to intensify upstream activities, increase drilling and production rates, and expand the development of mature fields by extending the agreement periods, which helped attract new investments to these areas.
Being located less than two kilometers from the nearest production facilities, the well’s proximity to existing infrastructure is expected to enable rapid connection to the grid over the coming weeks and an early start of production, enhancing capital efficiency.
The Egyptian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources also stressed that the discovery represents a model for maximizing the benefit of existing infrastructure, increasing production rates, and supporting gas supplies to the local market.
The gas discovery has been interpreted to highlight Eni’s continued success in exploration and production activities across its concession areas. The latest gas discovery comes a month after the discovery of the Italian giant Gas and condensate were discovered Off the coast of Egypt, it is said to have rapid development potential.
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