Numbers about natural gas activities in Egypt - EGYPT TODAY

Tue, Sep. 24, 2019

CAIRO – 24 September 2019: Egypt has put a number of gas fields on the map of production during the last period, which was reflected on the rates of gas production in September to hit 7.2 billion cubic feet per day.

The following are the most important figures that drew the map of natural gas activity in the last period:

1. Launching an international tender for oil and gas exploration in 10 sectors in the Red sea.
2. Signing Noor Marine Agreement, with investments of research and exploration amounting to about $85 million.
3. The value of investments in the field of research, development and operation of natural gas activity reached about $3.7 billion during 2018/2019.
4. Egypt's natural gas production has risen to unprecedented rates.

BP to Redirect Focus From Oil Assets in Egypt to Gas Reserves - YAHOO FINANCE / ZACKS EQUITY RESEARCH

June 5, 2019

BP plc BP recently announced its decision to divest Gulf of Suez oil concessions in Egypt to an upstream energy firm Dragon Oil. The value of the transaction has not been disclosed yet.

With the divestment, the British energy giant is planning to focus on gas reserves located off the coast of Egypt. The company has already produced first gas from the West Nile Delta development’s second stage. The project entails the production of natural gas from the Giza and Fayoum fields and the integrated energy firm expects peak production of 700 million cubic feet of gas per day.

BP commenced the first stage of the West Nile Delta project in 2017 and is expecting to start gas production from the final stage by the second half of 2019. Notably, in the first stage, BP developed the Taurus and Libra fields, while the final stage involves the development of the Raven field.

Overall, the West Nile Delta is a major upstream project and the company is expecting the full development — comprising the first, second and final stages — to produce roughly 20% of the current natural gas production volumes in Egypt. BP added that the national gas grid will utilize the entire gas being produced from the West Nile Delta.

Egypt to attract $10bln of petroleum in FY2019/20 - industry head - ZAWYA

16 MAY, 2019
Marwa Abo AlMajd

Egypt’s petroleum sector is set to attract $10 billion of investment in its coming financial year, adding to the $30 billion that has been invested over the past three years, according to an industry head.

Mohamed Saad, head of the oil chamber at the Federation of Egyptian Industries, told Zawya last week investments in current and past financial years have “helped Egypt to achieve self-sufficiency” in natural gas production . Egypt’s new financial year begins on July 1.

Saad said that the natural gas sector had represented “an overload” on the state in the past as a result of weak production, but said the situation had now transformed, with the country transitioning from self-sufficiency towards becoming a natural gas exporter.

“During 2018 Egypt was able to achieve self-sufficiency of gas, where the volume of domestic production (rose) to 6.6 billion cubic feet per day, while the total volume of investments for oil and gas exploration and the development of fields producing them in 2018 amounted to about $10 billion,” he said.

“Shell , Eni And Mobil are playing an important role in pumping these investments in Egyptian petroleum sector,” he said.

Egypt signs 7 agreements to explore petrol, gas with investments of $162M - EGYPT TODAY

Wed, Feb. 20, 2019

CAIRO – 20 February 2019: Seven Agreements were signed to explore petrol and gas with minimum investments of $162 million during 2017/2018, an official source at the Petroleum Authority said.

The source elaborated that procedures of 10 new agreements were completed during July and August 2018, noting that 19 contracts were signed to develop the discovered fields until August 2018 in order to support the targeted plans to increase the production of petrol and gas.

He added that 98 exploratory wells were drilled to support and increase the reserves of the petroleum wealth, of which 58 wells were put on production.

According to the source, the petroleum sector succeeded in securing the market needs of petroleum products, as the average production of crude oil hit 626,000 barrels of crude oil and condensates during a year.

Foreign oil and gas companies in Egypt to increase investments to USD 11 bn - ENTERPRISE

Tuesday, 18 December 2018

Investment in Egypt by global oil majors is on track to rise c. 10% this fiscal year, unnamed industry sources told the local press. Total investment by global exploration and production companies should close the state’s 2018-19 fiscal year at c. USD 11 bn against USD 10 bn a year ago in part thanks to the Oil Ministry clearing some USD 5.1 bn in arrears it owed the companies, the story says. Major projects in the pipeline include second-phase drilling in the supergiant Zohr field, with a USD 300 mn tenth well set to be drilled next month, continued work in the North Alexandria offshore concession and the start of production from the first three wells of West Nile Delta. The Oil Ministry has recently reached an agreement with the companies to expedite their work on the latter projects. The projects are expected to produce a combined 800 mcf/d of natgas during the current fiscal year.

BP to Invest $1.8B in Egypt - EGYPT OIL & GAS

Monday, 12th November 2018

BP will invest $1.8 billion in Egypt next year, according to BP’s chief executive Bob Dudley, The National reported.

“We’ve spent in the last two years $6.8bn in Egypt and it will be about $1.8bn dollars next year,” Dudley told The National in an interview in Abu Dhabi.

BP’s regional president of North Africa, Hesham Mekkawy, previously said that the company will invest $2 billion in Egypt during 2019.

BP’s latest spending plans are a substantial decrease from the $4 billion invested in Egypt in 2017.

Dudley also confirmed that the company will be investing significantly in Abu Dhabi, promising $1 billon each year. The company has already discussed investing in the Ruwais downstream facility with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). The Emirate is planning to invest $45 billion in the facility over the next five years in collaboration with international partners.

“We’ve reviewed and we’re part of the process with Ruwais. That’s yet to be decided”, Dudley said.

Oil Ministry expects USD 10 bn in new oil and gas investment during current fiscal year - ENTERPRISE

Sunday, 11 November 2018

INVESTMENT WATCH- Oil Ministry expects USD 10 bn in new oil and gas investment during current fiscal year. 

Oil Minister Tarek El Molla said on Saturday that his ministry expects some USD 10 bn in new investment in the sector in 2018-19. The figure includes both funding for both exploration and production activities. 

The minister said high appetite among international oil companies (IOCs) for Egyptian opportunities underscores their confidence in Egypt’s improved investment climate. 

The minister expects IOCs to bid in an upcoming sale of exploration blocks in the Red Sea region, saying it would be the first time blocks would be on offer in that region.

ExxonMobil to expand oil and gas activities in Egypt - ENTERPRISE

Thursday, 8 November 2018

ExxonMobil is looking to shore up its oil and gas activities in Egypt, company President Bryan Milton said during a meeting with Oil Minister Tarek El Molla, according to an Oil Ministry statement (pdf) (Arabic). 

No further details were provided, but the company said earlier this year it is planning to invest 60 mn in Egypt and is particularly interested in opportunities in the gas-rich East Mediterranean.

Apache to increase oil and gas exploration investment in Egypt to $1bn - HYDROCARBONS TECHNOLOGY

23 AUGUST 2018

US-based oil and gas company Apache has reportedly unveiled plans to increase its annual investment in exploration activities in Egypt to $1bn.

The decision comes after Apache CEO John Christmann held a meeting with Egypt’s Petroleum Minister Tarek al-Molla, Xinhua reported, citing a statement released by the Egyptian Petroleum Ministry.

The company’s intention to increase exploration is aimed at supporting Egypt’s reserves while helping to increase the country’s oil and gas production.

In a statement, the ministry said: “Christmann and Al-Molla discussed means to expand Apache’s exploration activities in Egypt, as well as the company’s ongoing projects and future investment plans in the country.”

The company is planning to form a partnership to prepare a five-year plan for oil exploration in the country.

The proposed plan will outline the expected investments and production using advanced technologies in the oil and gas industry, according to the news agency.

Christmann also lauded the economic progress made by the Egypt Government in the oil field over the past three years through investment-friendly policies.

Last month, Apache reached a deal with Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum to invest $9bn towards exploration and production of oil and gas in the country’s Western Desert.

Operating in Egypt for 22 years, Apache is one of the largest oil companies in the country’s Western Desert.

Merlon JV Petrosilah to invest $55 million in oil exploration in Egypt - ENERGY EGYPT

April 26, 2018

Petrosilah Petroleum Company plans to invest about $55 million in oil exploration and discovery in its concession areas in Egypt during the fiscal year 2018/2019, chairman and managing director Taher Abdel Rehem said.

The firm raised its production of crude oil by 1,000 barrels during last week, bringing its daily output capacity to 7,000 barrels per day (bpd) since output started in the Abboud well.

There is a plan to raise Petrosilah’s output in the coming two months to 7,500 bpd, he added.

Petrosilah is a joint venture (JV) between the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) and US-based oil company Merlon International.

Petrosilah’s explorations are being carried out in the concession area that includes Sila, Tarsa, and Khek fields in Fayoum.

Abdel Rehem noted that there were plans to drill eight wells, including six development wells and two other exploratory ones, at $20 million investments in Tameya and Ain al-Silian in Fayoum.

Dana Gas plans $47 mln capex in Egypt this year - NASDAQ / REUTERS

March 15, 2018, 05:41:00 AM EDT
Stanley Carvalho

ABU DHABI, March 15 (Reuters) - United Arab Emirates-based energy firm Dana Gas will spend $47 million in Egypt this year but any new investments will be made only if the country pays some of the money it owes, Dana's chief executive said on Thursday.

Abu Dhabi-listed Dana has been struggling to recover payments from Egypt, with total "receivables" related to oil and gas production standing at $228 million.

The money will go towards an ongoing drilling programme in Egypt where Dana has two to four wells and where work has already begun.

But with Egypt's payments in the second half of 2017 being "sporadic and disappointing", Dana is cautious about new investments. "Absent payment, absent investments," Allman-Ward said.

Dana's production in Egypt in 2017 was around 39,500 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd), up 5 percent year-on-year, it said in annual results on Thursday.

Government approves 4 oil, gas agreements worth $230M - EGYPT TODAY

Thu, Dec. 28, 2017

CAIRO – "The Egyptian government approved in its Thursday meeting four new oil and gas exploration agreements worth $230 million," Minister of Petroleum Tarek el-Molla announced.

Two of the four agreements are related to the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) for exploration in the Red Sea and Western Desert areas, while the other two are related to South Valley Petroleum Holding Company (Ganope).

"The agreements include drilling 17 new wells," Molla added in a cabinet press conference.

EGPC chairman Abed Ezz el-Regal announced in September that EGPC will hold a new auction for oil and gas exploration before the end of 2017.

In August, Molla signed three new oil and gas exploration agreements in the Western Desert with a total value of $81.4 million in investments.

The agreements were signed between the EGPC, Royal Dutch Shell and Apex to drill 16 new wells using $23.2 million.

Shell plans to drill 63 wells in Egypt in 2018 - EGYPT TODAY

Thu, Oct. 12, 2017

CAIRO – 12 October 2017: Royal Dutch Shell planned to drill 63 wells in Egypt in 2018 at different geological structures in the Western Desert, Shell’s director Andrew Brown announced Thursday.

“This targets increasing oil and gas production volume in the Western Desert,” Brown added.

In a Thursday meeting with Prime Minister Sherif Ismail and Minister of Petroleum Tarek El-Molla, Brown explained that Shell’s projects in the next period include Phase 9b in the West Delta Deep Marine Concession with $1.6 billion in total investments.

Brown has also presented plans and recommendations of his company to increase investments in the oil and gas exploration and production.

In June, Shell said it plans to increase investments in oil and gas explorations in Egypt.

IOCs raise investments in Egypt to USD 10 bn this year – El Molla - ENTERPRISE

Sunday, 17 September 2017

International oil companies have raised their investments in Egypt to USD 10 bn this year on the back of payments the government have been making to arrears it owes them, Oil Minister Tarek El Molla tells Al Borsa on Saturday. 

Arrears had fallen to USD 2.3 bn, the lowest it has been since 2013, El Molla stated. The ministry plans to issue new tenders and auctions for concessions, he added.

Foreign oil firms' Egypt investments $8.1 bln in 2016-2017 -minister - REUTERS

AUGUST 9, 2017 / 10:02 AM

CAIRO, Aug 9 (Reuters) - Investment by foreign oil firms in Egypt rose to $8.1 billion in 2016-2017 from $6.6 billion a year earlier, Petroleum Minister Tarek El-Molla told Reuters on Wednesday.

"The foreign partners spent $8.1 billion in exploration and development operations in Egypt during 2016-2017, compared to $6.6 billion in 2015-2016," El-Molla said in a phone call.

The oil ministry said in June that Egypt had reduced arrears owed to foreign oil companies to $2.3 billion. Egypt's fiscal year runs from July to June.

Cairo has pledged to eliminate the arrears by June 2019 and not accumulate more, part of its drive to draw new foreign investment to an energy sector that is attracting interest after several major gas discoveries.

President Sisi underlines importance of developing Egypt’s petroleum sector - ENERGY EGYPT / STATE INFORMATION SERVICE

April 23, 2017

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi highlighted on Thursday 20/04/2017 the importance of developing the petroleum and mineral wealth sector in Egypt, as a cornerstone of national economy.

During a meeting with Prime Minister Sherif Ismail and Petroleum Minister Tarek el-Molla, the president urged attracting more foreign investments in this field.

He also highlighted the necessity of accelerating efforts for starting production of natural gas in recently discovered fields and removing all obstacles facing developers and investors in these fields, Presidential Spokesman Alaa Youssef said.

Video: EGYPS coverage, interview with BP's CEO, Bob Dudley - DMC TV CHANNEL / EGYPS

Osama Kamal interviews Bob Dudley - CEO of BP (approx. 12 minutes, @1:07:14) at the recent (14-16 Ferbruary 2017) Egypt Petroleum Show EGYPS 2017. Among other things he explains the reasoning behind a farm-out agreement after a find has already been made, OPEC's balancing act with the advent of shale gas and his great optimism on Egypt. BP's 2016-2017 investments were the largest in Egypt than in any other part of the world (BP operates in over 40 countries). 

Prime Minister calls on Petroleum Ministry to swiftly complete oil, gas development projects - DAILY NEWS EGYPT

Wednesday January 18, 2017
Mohamed Ayyad
Gas self-sufficiency to be achieved by end of 2019, says prime minister

Prime Minister Sherif Ismail called on the Minister of Petroleum to quickly complete the development projects of discovered fields in order to increase the local production of crude oil and gas, and relieve the pressure on foreign exchange resources.

During his visit to the Petroleum Ministry on Wednesday, Ismail said that Egypt will achieve natural gas self-sufficiency by the end of 2019. The prime minister stressed the importance of intensifying exploration and research works during the upcoming phase.

Ismail also stressed the importance of delivering natural gas to homes as this would improve the services offered to citizens and provide the necessary amount of butane, 50% of which is imported.

Egypt signs two oil and gas exploration agreements - ENTERPRISE / ASWAT MASRIYA

Wednesday, 18 January 2017

Egypt signed two exploration and production agreements in the Western Desert and Suez Canal regions, Aswat Masriya reported. The first agreement was signed with Sahara for Oil and Gas, a sister company of Sahara Petroleum Services (SAPESCO), with an investment value of USD 30 mn. The second agreement was inked with the Offshore Shukeir Oil Company to carry out exploration on behalf of EGPC in the Suez Canal region.

Petrobel to invest $630 million in FY 2017-18 - ENERGY EGYPT / EGYPT'S MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM

Abu Rudeis onshore facilities (photo: Petrobel)

January 17, 2017

Minster of Petroleum Eng. Tarek El Molla, chaired the General Assembly for Belayim Petroleum Company (Petrobel) to review the companies’ budgets for fiscal year 2017/2018. The general assemblies were held in the attendance of First Undersecretaries of the Ministry of Petroleum, CEOs of the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS), and Executive President of the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) , BP’s Regional Manager, Hesham Mekawy and Eng. Adriano Mongini, IEOC’s President.