Egypt Records New Surge in Western Desert Oil Output

Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources announced a fresh increase in crude oil production from the Western Desert, adding approximately 12,000 barrels per day of crude oil and condensates over the past two weeks, driven by strong performance in key operating fields.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the ministry said more than 10,000 barrels per day of the increase came from Khalda Petroleum Company fields, alongside around 1,500 barrels per day from the General Petroleum Company’s operations in the Abu Sennan area.

Officials attributed the improvement to the success of recent intensive investment programs and accelerated field development activities across the region.

The ministry noted that the positive performance at Khalda Petroleum, a joint venture between the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation and U.S.-based Apache Corporation, reflects the impact of improved investment conditions following the gradual settlement of outstanding arrears owed to foreign partners over the past two years.

According to the statement, clearing accumulated payments to international partners has helped boost capital expenditure, speed up drilling operations, and enhance exploration and development activity, ultimately converting untapped potential into tangible production growth that supports the domestic market.

Khalda Petroleum recorded a notable production increase of more than 10,000 barrels per day of crude oil and condensates within just two weeks. Output rose from approximately 113,300 barrels per day in May 2026 to around 123,500 barrels per day by June 8.

The increase was driven by the successful commissioning of five new wells, including three development wells and two exploration wells, underscoring the effectiveness of ongoing drilling programs.

Meanwhile, the General Petroleum Company reported its strongest production performance since October 2024, reaching a total output of approximately 74,500 barrels of oil equivalent per day, including around 61,000 barrels per day of crude oil.

The ministry said the Western Desert remains one of Egypt’s most important oil-producing regions, with continued investment and field optimization efforts expected to support further gains in production capacity.

Officials added that ongoing drilling campaigns and enhanced recovery techniques are central to sustaining output growth and maximizing returns from existing assets, as Egypt seeks to strengthen its energy security and increase domestic production levels.

The latest gains highlight the broader momentum within Egypt’s upstream oil sector, driven by improved investment flows, renewed activity by international partners, and the government’s push to accelerate development across mature and emerging fields.