Shell has reported “encouraging initial indications” from its Sirius 1X exploration well in Egypt’s Northeast Amreya area in the Mediterranean Sea, in what could prove a meaningful step forward for the country’s ambitions to expand gas production and attract upstream investment.
The well reached its target depth of 2,115 metres, according to Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, which said the results enhance the prospects for developing new gas resources from the exploratory Sirius reservoir. An early development decision is considered possible during 2027, with any discovery expected to be connected to production by 2029 as a subsequent phase to the development of the nearby Mina West field, which is already underway.
The Sirius 1X is the first exploratory well drilled by Shell in Egypt in 2026, part of a broader campaign to expand gas exploration and production across its concession areas in the Egyptian Mediterranean. The company is using Stena Drilling’s Stena IceMax sixth-generation deepwater drillship, alongside its partner Kuwait’s KUFPEC, in collaboration with the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS).
A notable operational efficiency was achieved by using the adjacent Mina West 2 well to gather geological and technical data needed for the Sirius 1X well, avoiding the cost of drilling a separate data-gathering well. Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum said work is continuing to complete the Mina West 2 well in preparation for first production before the end of this year.
Source: offshore-energy.biz