Egypt’s Petroleum Authority Chief Inspects Western Desert Fields

The Chief Executive of the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) Salah Abdel Karim, conducted an extensive field inspection of the North Bahariya Petroleum Company operations (NORPETCO) in Egypt’s Western Desert, as part of ongoing efforts to monitor production sites and accelerate upstream activity.

The visit included an on-site inspection of drilling rig EDC REG II, where Abdel Karim reviewed ongoing exploration and development operations, emphasizing the importance of intensifying drilling activity to maximize production potential.

During the tour, the EGPC chief highlighted the progress made in Egypt’s petroleum sector, particularly recent steps to settle arrears owed to international partners and ongoing efforts to streamline operational frameworks across the industry.

He stressed the importance of maintaining a strong “team-based approach” across all operational levels to ensure efficiency and sustained production growth.

Abdel Karim praised the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources’ broader strategy, which he said has provided practical solutions to operational challenges and enabled faster implementation of exploration and development plans.

He noted that current incentives and policy support have helped unlock promising opportunities for increasing both production levels and hydrocarbon reserves, reinforcing Egypt’s long-term energy security objectives.

The EGPC chief also underscored the need for strict adherence to drilling schedules and development programs, describing timely execution as essential for maintaining stable production growth and ensuring operational sustainability.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, the inspection also included a review of operational safety systems to ensure compliance with international industrial standards and the maintenance of a safe and sustainable working environment across the fields.

Abdel Karim examined ongoing drilling and production operations to assess technical performance and operational efficiency, as well as future development plans aimed at boosting output across the North Bahariya assets.

A key stop during the visit was the “Ferdous” solar power station, where the delegation reviewed efforts to reduce reliance on diesel fuel and lower carbon emissions, in line with Egypt’s broader sustainability and energy transition goals.

The visit concluded with an inspection of the on-site accommodation camp, where Abdel Karim held an open discussion with technical teams and field workers in the presence of North Bahariya Petroleum Company Chairman Engineer Ahmed Salah.

He expressed appreciation for the workforce’s efforts in supporting national economic development and emphasized the importance of maintaining high operational efficiency while strictly adhering to safety and occupational standards.

The visit reflects Egypt’s continued focus on strengthening upstream oil and gas operations while gradually integrating cleaner energy solutions into traditional hydrocarbon production sites.