RIYADH: A new natural gas discovery in Egypt’s Western Desert has been announced, with initial tests indicating output of about 26 million cubic feet a day of gas and 2,700 barrels a day of condensate.
US energy firm Apache Corp. reported the find, made with the Egyptian General Petroleum Corp. after drilling the SKAL-1X exploratory well in the South Kalabsha area, according to a statement from the north African country’s petroleum ministry.
The find reflects the impact of incentives and procedures introduced by the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, which have encouraged Apache to expand its exploration activities and increase investments, particularly in areas adjacent to its existing concessions.
In August 2024, Egypt unveiled a new set of incentives to stimulate exploration and development, increase output, and reduce the gap between domestic supply and demand. The country is seeking to boost natural gas production and accelerate drilling programs to meet growing demand.
In a statement, the ministry stated: “The new discovery is located in one of the areas recently assigned to the company, close to its current areas of operation, which enhances the feasibility of the investment and reduces costs, given the benefit of geographical proximity to existing infrastructure and production facilities.”
