Drilling of two gas wells in Egypt's main Zohr Field will start next week targeting 220mn cubic feet per day of production with the arrival of a rig to begin work, as the government aims to restore natural production to pre-halt levels, the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi said on December 16. 

The minister also highlighted the reactivation of three drilling rigs and two workover rigs by Agiba Petroleum Company to expedite drilling activities.

Egypt had planned to become a major gas exporter following the discovery of the main Zohr offshore gas field by Eni in 2015. However, domestic gas production has been declining since 2021, reaching its lowest level in six years last year.

The second phase of Raven Field is expected to start production in January 2025 at 200mn cubic feet per day with additional investments, while the new King Field drilling is to start in early 2025. Four Western Desert exploration areas were also allocated for accelerated production.

The works will help increase natural gas production by a further 80mn cubic feet per day by late 2025.

Badawi said that the production at Sepia and Sigil wells started last month, adding 160mn cubic feet per day by year-end with investments totalling $227mn.

The minister added that works for oil production expansion also continued. IPR firm targets 15,000 barrels per day by year-end and ADES aims to add 5,000 barrels per day by the same time.