Cairo: Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi engaged in discussions with Sameh Sabry, the Executive Director of Harbour Energy Company for the Middle East and North Africa, regarding the company's operations in Egypt, focusing on the natural gas output from the Desouk field in the Nile Delta.

According to State Information Service Egypt, Badawi highlighted that recent advances in the Desouk area are a testament to the ministry's incentive measures, which have successfully stimulated investments, supported drilling activities, and countered the natural decline in gas production. He emphasized the government's dedication to settling partners' dues and maintaining consistent payments to promote further investments, with the goal of boosting domestic production and reducing the costs associated with gas imports.

Sabry provided insights into recent developments in the Desouk area, revealing a promising natural gas discovery. The first well, named 'Ezz,' has commenced production, and a second well is anticipated to start operations shortly, with additional wells planned for drilling. He noted that natural gas and condensate production in the Desouk area has increased to approximately 14,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, propelled by the ministry's investment incentives. Furthermore, the company is exploring the potential for discovering crude oil in the area for the first time.

Sabry also discussed plans, in collaboration with BP, the main operator, to undertake drilling of new wells this year in the offshore West Nile Delta fields.