RIYADH: Egypt has uncovered a significant new oil deposit in the Western Desert, which officials believe could substantially boost the country’s energy production.
The discovery, made in the West Fewebs-1 area of the Kalabsha Development Area, revealed a substantial reserve of high-quality oil, according to a statement.
Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi emphasized the importance of this find, noting that the well has already shown promising results.
“We have successfully drilled into the Paleozoic sands, and early tests have yielded an impressive 7,165 barrels of oil per day, alongside 23 million cubic feet of natural gas,” Badawi said.
The oil is of particularly high quality, with a rating of 44 degrees, which could make it highly sought after on international markets, he added.
This discovery highlights Egypt’s ongoing efforts to tap into its energy potential, particularly in the Western Desert, a region long recognized for its oil and gas prospects.
Khalda Petroleum Co., which conducted the drilling on behalf of Apache and the Egyptian General Petroleum Corp., confirmed a substantial presence of hydrocarbons in the area.
“This discovery underscores the richness of Egypt’s natural resources,” said an official from Khalda Petroleum. “The Paleozoic layer alone has shown a net thickness of 462 feet, indicating that there is much more to be uncovered.”
The timing of this discovery is crucial as Egypt pushes for greater energy independence. Badawi has recently announced a series of new incentives aimed at boosting the country’s oil and gas production.
These measures are designed to attract further investment and increase exploratory activities across the country. “We are committed to enhancing Egypt’s energy sector,” Badawi stated, “and this discovery is just one example of what can be achieved with the right support and collaboration.”
In addition to the oil find, the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources has launched a new global bid for natural gas exploration.
This initiative, which targets 12 areas in the Mediterranean and the Nile Delta, is part of Egypt’s broader strategy to capitalize on its natural gas reserves. “Our focus is on attracting international partners who can bring in the technology and expertise needed to fully realize Egypt’s energy potential,” Badawi said.
