Italian energy giant ENI on Wednesday announced the drilling of the first exploration well in the North El Hammad license in the conventional Egyptian waters of the Nile Delta on the Bashrush prospect, in collaboration with BP and Total.
The new discovery is located at water depths of 22 meters, 11 km from the coast and 12 km north west from the Nooros field and about 1 km west of the Baltim South West field, both already in production, according to the statement.
A single 152-meter thick gas column within the Messinian age sandstones of the Abu Madi formation with excellent petrophysical properties was discovered in the well, which ENI said would be tested for production.
ENI, BP and Total will begin screening the development options of the new discovery in coordination with Egypt's petroleum sector players with the aim of "fast tracking” production through synergies with the area's existing infrastructures, according to the statement.
In parallel with the development activities associated with this new discovery, ENI said it would continue to explore the "Great Nooros Area" by drilling another exploration well called Nidoco NW-1 DIR, located in the Abu Madi West concession.
ENI, as the operator of the block, holds a 37.5% working interest in the North El Hammad concession through its affiliate IEOC, while BP and Total own 37.5% and 25%, respectively.
(Anadolu Agency, July 2, 2020)
