Egypt has successfully encountered a gas-bearing layer at the Zohr-9 well in the Mediterranean Sea, marking a significant boost to the country’s natural gas production with an estimated output of approximately 70 million cubic feet per day. Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi announced the completion of drilling operations via the Saipem 10000 drillship, confirming full adherence to safety standards and the planned timetable.
This achievement builds on the success of the Zohr-6 well and aligns with the field’s comprehensive development plan, demonstrating strong potential for future expansion phases of the Zohr natural gas field. The drilling was completed in line with safety standards and schedule commitments, marking a continuation of earlier successes in the field.
Eni resumed drilling activities in the Zohr field in early 2025, beginning operations at the Zohr-13, Zohr-6, and Zohr-9 wells in February 2025. The Zohr field, the largest gas discovery ever made in Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea, is located within the offshore Shorouk Block. The block’s ownership is divided between Eni with a 50 percent stake, Rosneft holding 30 percent, bp with 10 percent, and Mubadala Petroleum also at 10 percent. The project is executed by operator Petrobel, a joint venture between Eni and the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation, on behalf of contractor Petroshrouk.
In a parallel development, the Ministry revealed that drilling operations for the new exploratory gas well, Denise W-1X, began on October 28 in the Denise development area off the coast of Port Said in the Mediterranean Sea. Operated by Petrobel, the well is being drilled by the Egyptian rig El-QAHERII, owned by the Modern Drilling Company, at a water depth of 98 meters and targeting a total depth of over 4,200 meters.
Minister Badawi emphasized that intensifying drilling and developing new wells in Eni’s concession areas reflects the company’s confidence in the investment climate in Egypt’s oil and gas sector. It also demonstrates Eni’s serious commitment to injecting new investments and strengthening its partnership with Egypt, representing a tangible outcome of the Ministry’s recent policies to stimulate investments and eliminate challenges for partners. The result forms part of Egypt’s wider effort to strengthen domestic production and reduce natural gas imports, reinforcing the Zohr field’s role as a key contributor to national energy supply.
Sources: egyptoil-gas.com, oedigital.com