U.S.-based Apache Corporation, partnering with Egypt’s General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC), announced a new natural gas discovery in Egypt’s Western Desert, the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources said. The find followed drilling of the SKAL-1X exploratory well in the South Kalabsha area, with initial tests showing daily output of around 26 million cubic feet of gas and 2,700 barrels of condensates.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources announced that U.S.-based Apache Corporation, in partnership with the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC), has made a new natural gas discovery in Egypt’s Western Desert. The discovery resulted from drilling the SKAL-1X exploratory well in the South Kalabsha area. Initial test results indicate daily production of around 26 million cubic feet of natural gas and approximately 2,700 barrels of condensates, according to a ministry statement. This find aligns with Egypt’s efforts to increase domestic gas output and cut import costs, backed by incentives to draw more investment into exploration and production. Officials stated that the discovery demonstrates the success of recent ministry measures, which have prompted Apache to broaden its exploration and boost investments, particularly in areas next to its existing concessions. The new field is located in a recently awarded concession near Apache’s current operations, improving economic viability and reducing development costs by utilizing existing infrastructure and production facilities. The ministry noted that this strategy will speed up development schedules and bring new finds online faster, helping to counter natural declines from mature fields while lowering capital spending.