Italy’s Eni and the UK’s BP have made a significant natural gas discovery in Egypt’s Nile Delta, deploying a technically innovative approach — drilling an offshore well from a land-based rig using directional drilling technology. The well, designated Nidoco N-2, was sunk in the West Abu Madi area of Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate and is expected to yield approximately 50 million cubic feet of gas per day.
According to Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, although the well is located roughly three kilometres offshore in shallow waters, it was drilled from onshore using directional drilling techniques specifically designed to reduce operational costs and improve efficiency — a method that avoids the expense and complexity of offshore rig deployment.
The well sits less than two kilometres from existing production infrastructure, allowing for a rapid connection to the grid and the potential for production to begin within weeks.
Petroleum Minister Karim Badawi visited the EDC-56 drilling rig used in the operation and described the discovery as a reflection of the sector’s broader progress, including the government’s success in clearing arrears owed to foreign partners. He said the government is targeting full settlement of outstanding dues by the end of June, adding that consistent payments have spurred partners to intensify drilling and development.
The West Abu Madi development area is operated by Eni in partnership with BP and the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation through Petrobel, the Eni-EGPC joint venture. Badawi noted the discovery demonstrates how leveraging existing infrastructure can accelerate production timelines while boosting domestic gas supply.
Source: oedigital.com