Egypt Makes Three Crude Oil, Gas Discoveries in Western Desert

The Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum announced three crude oil and gas discoveries in the Western Desert on Saturday, noting that these discoveries are part of its efforts to enhance the country's utilization of its mineral resources and intensify exploration efforts.

The ministry said in a statement, "As part of the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources' commitment to maximizing production rates and encouraging operating companies to increase exploratory drilling activities, reflecting the promising potential of the Egyptian energy sector, Khalda Petroleum Company has succeeded in achieving three new crude oil and gas discoveries in its concession areas in the Western Desert."

The ministry's statement added that the new discoveries "will add an estimated reserve volume of 12 million barrels of oil equivalent and a recoverable reserve of 4 million barrels of oil equivalent."

The ministry explained that "the discoveries were tested and evaluated, and the daily production rate reached approximately 2,750 barrels of oil and condensates and 20 million cubic feet of gas. The associated gas reserve volume is currently being calculated by Khalda Company."

The ministry stated, "These discoveries represent a significant return to the work of partner Apache Corporation in developing gas in these areas in parallel with crude oil, following the implementation of the new price adjustment incentives. This will raise Khalda's gas production above 480 million cubic feet of gas and will soon reach 500 million cubic feet. Without this initiative, gas production would have decreased to 380 million cubic feet of gas within six months."

In March 2025, Egypt received a gas production boost from the West Delta concession, which added 320 million cubic feet to the country's production, a move that will reduce its import bill and meet growing domestic demand.