Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi held talks Saturday with Executive Director of Harbor Energy Company for the Middle East and North Africa Sameh Sabry on the company’s operations in Egypt, particularly natural gas production from the Desouk field in the Nile Delta.
Badawi said the recent progress in Desouk area reflects the impact of the ministry’s incentive measures, which helped stimulate investments, support drilling activities, and reverse the natural decline in gas production.
He also affirmed the government’s commitment to settling partners’ dues and maintaining regular payments to encourage further investments aiming at increasing domestic production and reducing gas import costs.
Sabry, for his part, reviewed recent developments in Desouk area, noting that a promising natural gas discovery had recently been achieved. The first well, “Ezz,” has already started production, and a second well is expected to come on stream soon, with plans to drill additional wells.
He added that natural gas and condensate production in Desouk area rose to about 14,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, driven by the ministry’s investment incentives.
He also noted that the company is studying the possibility of discovering crude oil in the area for the first time.
Sabry also reviewed plans, in partnership with BP, the main operator, to drill new wells this year in the offshore West Nile Delta fields.
