Eni Finds Gas in Egypt's Western Desert

Italian oil major Eni has found gas in the Egyptian Western Desert that confirms the potential of the East Obayed concession which it owns equally with the government, it said August 30. The discovery well was drilled on the Faramid South exploration prospect in East Obayed concession, 30 km northwest of the Melehia concession. The well reached the target depth of 17,000 ft and encountered several gas bearing layers in the Kathabta sandstones of Jurassic age, it said.

The well has been opened to production delivering 25mn ft³/day and Eni has started the studies to develop the reserves which, together with the gas potential of Melehia, could increase output from the Western Desert Basin. Eni, through a 50-50 joint venture with the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) known as Agiba, produces 55,000 barrels of oil equivalent/day from that part of Egypt out of a total of  320,000 boe/day equity – and rising, as Zohr output continues to grow.