Eni Strikes Gas off Egypt
Italy's Eni has made a gas discovery with its first well at the North El Hammad licence area offshore Egypt, it said on July 1.
Eni and its partners UK BP and French Total were targeting the Bashrush prospect in waters 22 metres deep, 11 km from the coast in the Nile Delta. The discovery is also 12 km northwest of the Nooros field and 1 km west of the Baltim South West field, both of which are in production and operated by Eni.
The well encountered a 152-metre thick gas column in Messinian sandstone with "excellent petrophysical properties," and will be tested for production. Eni said the discovery demonstrated the significant gas and condensate potential of Messinian formations in the area, further extending west the gas potential of the Great Nooros area.
Despite the oversupply of gas in and offshore Egypt, Eni and its partners aim to fast-track the discovery's development, with the help of existing infrastructure. It will also continue exploring the Great Nooros area, with a well lined up later this year at the Abu Madi West concession.
Eni operates North El Hammad with a 37.5% interest, while BP and Total have shares of 37.5% and 25% respectively.
Egypt is a core focus for Eni, which has made several other finds there since developing the country's 30-trillion ft3 Zohr field between 2015 and 2017.