Eni announces a new gas discovery in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, offshore Egypt

Source: press release, 15 January 2023

‘Stena Forth’ is a harsh environment, dynamically positioned DP Class 3 drillship capable of drilling in water depths up to 10,000 feet
‘Stena Forth’ is a harsh environment, dynamically positioned DP Class 3 drillship capable of drilling in water depths up to 10,000 feet (photo: Stena Drilling)

Eni has announced a significant new gas discovery at the Nargis-1 exploration well located in Nargis Offshore Area Concession, in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, offshore Egypt.

The Nargis-1 well has encountered approximately 200 net feet (61 metres) of Miocene and Oligocene gas bearing sandstones and was drilled in 1,014 feet (309 metres) of water by the Stena Forth drillship. The discovery can be developed leveraging the proximity to Eni’s existing facilities.

Nargis-1 confirms the validity of Eni’s focus on Egypt Offshore, which the company will further develop thanks to the recent award of exploration blocks North Rafah, North El Fayrouz, North East El Arish, Tiba and Bellatrix-Seti East.

Egypt’s Nargis Offshore Area concession is approximately 445,000 acres (1,800 square kilometres). Chevron Holdings C Pte. Ltd. is the operator with a 45% interest, while Eni’s wholly owned Affiliate IEOC Production BV holds a 45% and Tharwa Petroleum Company SAE holds a 10% interest.

Eni has been present in Egypt since 1954, where it operates through the subsidiary IEOC. The company is currently the country’s leading producer with an equity production of hydrocarbons of approximately 350,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. In line with the net-zero strategy by 2050, Eni is engaged in a series of initiatives aimed at decarbonising the Egyptian energy sector, including the development of CCS plants, renewable energy plants, agro feedstock for bio refining and others.