Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on Saturday inspected natural gas production facilities in the Deepwater West Delta region, underscoring the government's commitment to expanding domestic energy production and attracting new foreign investment into the country's petroleum sector.
The visit, which took place during a broader tour of development and public service projects in Beheira Governorate, brought together senior officials from Egypt's petroleum industry and representatives of major international energy companies, including Shell, Petronas, and Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC).
Speaking during the tour, Madbouly reaffirmed the strategic importance of the petroleum sector to Egypt's economic development agenda. He highlighted ongoing efforts by the government to introduce incentives and regulatory reforms aimed at encouraging additional investment in exploration and production activities.
"The state remains committed to creating an attractive investment environment that supports increased exploration and development activities while maximizing the benefits of Egypt's advanced energy infrastructure," Madbouly said.
The Prime Minister emphasized that strengthening domestic gas production remains a national priority as Egypt seeks to meet growing industrial, commercial, and consumer demand while reinforcing its position as a regional energy hub.
During a briefing at Rashid Petroleum Company's headquarters, Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Karim Badawi described the Deepwater West Delta area as one of Egypt's most significant natural gas-producing regions in the Mediterranean.
Badawi noted that recent reforms, combined with the government's successful settlement of outstanding financial obligations to foreign partners, completed on June 10, have contributed to restoring investor confidence and accelerating development projects across the sector.
According to the minister, the tenth and eleventh development phases completed during 2024 and 2025 added new production capacity that helped support local gas supplies and offset natural production declines from mature fields.
"The sector is currently witnessing renewed momentum in drilling, development, and exploration activities, driven by improved investment confidence and strong cooperation with our international partners," Badawi said.
In a significant announcement, the minister revealed that the West Mena gas field in the Mediterranean Sea is expected to enter production during the fourth quarter of 2026.
The project is targeting output of approximately 160 million cubic feet of natural gas per day following the completion of tie-in operations to existing infrastructure. Officials view the development as a key component of Egypt's strategy to increase local gas production and strengthen energy security.
Badawi also highlighted Egypt's extensive gas-processing and transportation network, describing it as a competitive advantage that allows new discoveries to be connected to production facilities quickly and cost-effectively.
Executives from major international energy companies used the occasion to outline their current operations and future investment plans in Egypt.
Dalia El-Gabry, Chairman and Managing Director of Shell Egypt, said the company has operated in Egypt for more than 110 years and continues to play an integrated role across the country's energy value chain. Shell's activities range from deepwater gas production in the West Nile Delta to exploration programs in the Nile Delta and Herodotus Basin, as well as participation in the Idku LNG complex and lubricants business.
El-Gabry reaffirmed Shell's commitment to working alongside Egypt's Ministry of Petroleum and its partners to support reliable and sustainable energy supplies.
Meanwhile, Hany Essmat, President of Petronas Egypt, highlighted the Malaysian company's partnership with Shell in offshore gas production and liquefied natural gas operations, expressing interest in further expanding investments in Egypt's gas sector.
Abdulaziz Al-Mousawi, Regional Director of KUFPEC, reviewed the company's investment portfolio in Egypt, including projects in the Gulf of Suez and Mediterranean Sea. He also expressed pride in KUFPEC's participation in the development of the West Mena gas field, which is scheduled to begin production later this year.
Representatives of the international companies praised Egypt's decision to fully clear outstanding payments owed to foreign partners, describing the move as a strong signal of confidence for investors operating in the country's petroleum and natural gas industry.
The Prime Minister concluded his visit with a tour of the main control room at the gas reception and processing station operated by Rashid Petroleum Company. There, he received a detailed briefing on how gas from offshore fields is received, processed, and delivered into Egypt's national gas grid.
Madbouly also met with young engineers and operational teams working at the facility, thanking them for their role in managing critical energy infrastructure that directly contributes to securing natural gas supplies for millions of Egyptians.
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