Dana Gas on Growth Track in Egypt

Dana Gas has announced a number of major milestones in the successful fulfillment of its growth strategy in Egypt.

“Most recently, the signing of Blocks 1 and 3 concession agreements in the Nile Delta provides Dana Gas with additional highly material growth opportunities in the country. This supplements a number of positive developments including the recent signing of the landmark Gas Production Enhancement Agreement (GPEA) and the large payment made by the Egyptian government in December towards outstanding receivables. Together, these milestones place the company on a much stronger footing in Egypt from which it can benefit for its next phase of growth,” the company said in a statement Sunday.

The GPEA allows the Dana Gas to significantly enhance production and to start gradually recovering its outstanding receivables in a phased manner over the next few years.

Following the signing of this GPEA agreement, a $60 million payment was made to Dana Gas by the Egyptian Government in December 2014 as part of its payments to the industry. This payment accounts for 28% of the total overdue receivables of $212 million (AED 778 million).

Dana Gas plans to utilize these funds for future investment requirements and address operational expenses in Egypt.

The company believes that the newly awarded Block 1 is expected to extend its highly successful shallow gas production business onshore the Nile Delta. In Block 3, the company will participate on a 50% basis with BP as partner and operator.

“This exploration venture is targeting the deep Oligocene potential of the area, which, in case of success, would result in material production growth for Egypt and be transformational for the company,” Dana Gas said.

“We are poised to deliver strong growth in Egypt in the short term as a result of the signing of the Gas Production Enhancement Agreement duly supported by the payment made by the Egyptian government last month. We have also secured medium- term growth potential through our successful bids for these two new exploration blocks in the Nile Delta. We see this positive momentum continuing and are excited about our exploration and development plans in Egypt,” Patrick Allman-Ward, Chief Executive Officer of Dana Gas, said.