Egypt Unveils New Gas Discovery in Western Desert

Egypt’s Badr El-Din Petroleum Company (BAPETCO) announced a new natural gas discovery in the Badr-15 concession of the Western Desert, marking another step in the country’s strategy to boost domestic gas output and reduce import dependence.

The newly discovered well, BED 15-31, has already been connected to the national production network, delivering an output of around 16 million cubic feet of gas per day, along with 750 barrels of condensates, the company said in a statement.

Preliminary estimates suggest that the new find could add roughly 15 billion cubic feet to the area’s gas reserves, sourced from the Lower Bahariya formation, which is currently being re-evaluated for further drilling opportunities.

The Western Desert remains one of Egypt’s most productive hydrocarbon regions, accounting for a significant portion of the country’s oil and gas output. Over the past decade, the region has seen a series of commercial discoveries, driven by advanced exploration and drilling technologies.

The discovery aligns with the Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources’ broader plans to accelerate exploration and development activities across existing concessions. The ministry aims to gradually increase gas production and reduce the financial burden of imports, as part of Egypt’s energy security strategy.

Industry analysts note that discoveries like BED 15-31 reflect Egypt’s continued success in maintaining its position as a regional energy hub, especially amid rising demand for natural gas in both domestic and export markets.