Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum has kicked off an ambitious drilling campaign targeting 75 new oil wells in the Gulf of Gharib fields of the Eastern Desert, marking a significant push to boost domestic energy production and reduce import dependence.
The state-owned General Petroleum Company (GPC) has already deployed the first of three cutting-edge 1,000-horsepower drilling rigs, designed to dramatically improve drilling efficiency while cutting operational costs.
Ministry officials announced Saturday that the year-long drilling program aims to add 7,500 barrels per day to current production, raising total output from the Gharib fields to 9,000 barrels daily.
GPC Chairman Mohamed Abdel Meguid highlighted that the new rigs offer superior drilling speeds, operational efficiency, and mobility between sites – enabling the company to execute its plans more economically and effectively.
The initiative aligns with Egypt’s broader strategy to maximize national resources and strengthen energy security through increased local production.
In related developments, the ministry announced three significant oil and gas discoveries in the Western Desert by Khalda Petroleum Company and Apache, expected to yield approximately 12 million barrels of oil equivalent.
Initial testing shows impressive daily production rates of 2,750 barrels of oil and condensates, alongside 20 million cubic feet of natural gas.
The ministry also reported that Petroleum Minister Karim Badawi recently met with BP executives to accelerate development of Mediterranean discoveries and expand their partnership, reinforcing Egypt’s commitment to creating a supportive climate for energy investments while diversifying into renewables.
Source: english.aawsat.com
