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Italy’s energy giant Eni and its partner, UK-headquartered BP, have used advanced directional drilling technologies to spud an offshore well from onshore, which led to a new natural gas discovery off the coast of Egypt, augmenting the Middle East’s hydrocarbon resources.
Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources announced a natural gas discovery in the Nile Delta region on May 2, 2026, with estimated production rates of around 50 million cubic feet per day (cf/d). The discovery follows the drilling of the Nidoco N-2 exploratory well within the concession area, operated by Eni in partnership with BP and the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC), through Petrobel, the joint company between EGPC and Eni.
Karim Badawi , Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, visited the EDC-56 drilling rig, which executed the well operations in the West Abu Madi area within Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate. The well is situated approximately 3 kilometers offshore in shallow waters with a depth of around 10 meters.
The well was drilled from onshore using directional drilling technologies, contributing to cost optimization and enhanced operational efficiency. Badawi explains that this discovery, alongside increased production from existing fields, reflects the petroleum sector’s success in settling dues owed to foreign partners, with full clearance targeted by the end of June.
“This highlights the state’s commitment to strengthening partner confidence and fostering an attractive investment environment,” underlined Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources.
Badawi claims that the regular settlement of dues has encouraged partners to intensify upstream activities, increase drilling and production rates, and expand the development of mature fields by extending agreement periods that helped attract new investments to these areas.
As it is situated less than 2 kilometers away from the nearest production facilities, the well’s proximity to existing infrastructure is perceived to enable rapid connection to the network within the coming weeks and the start of early production, enhancing capital efficiency.
Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources further emphasizes that the discovery represents a model for maximizing the utilization of existing infrastructure, increasing production rates, and supporting gas supply to the domestic market.
The gas find is interpreted to highlight Eni’s continued success in exploration and production activities across its concession areas. The latest gas discovery comes a month after the Italian giant made a gas and condensate discovery offshore Egypt, said to have fast-track development potential.