Bashrush gas discovery : Eni, BP, and Total have made a new gas discovery in the Mediterranean Sea off the Egyptian coast following the drilling of the first wildcat well targeting the Bashrush prospect in the North El Hammad license.

The new gas discovery in the Nile Delta is located in 22 meters of water depth, 11 km from the coast, and 12 km North-West from the Nooros gas and condensate field and nearly a kilometer west of the Baltim South West field. Both the fields are already in production.

According to Eni, which is the operator of the North El Hammad license, the Bashrush well intersected a single 152 meters thick gas column within the Messinian age sandstones of the Abu Madi formation with excellent petrophysical properties.

The exploratory well will be tested for production.

Eni said that the Bashrush gas discovery has shown the significant gas and condensate potential of the Messinian formations in this sector of the Egyptian shallow waters. The Italian oil and gas company said that the gas discovery of Bashrush further extends to the west the gas potential of the Abu Madi formation reservoirs discovered and produced from the Great Nooros Area.

Eni makes Bashrush gas discovery in Nile Delta, Mediterranean Sea. Image courtesy of Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay.

Along with its partners BP and Total, and in coordination with the Egyptian Petroleum Sector, Eni will start screening the development options of the new discovery, with a goal of speeding up the production via synergies with the existing infrastructures in the area.

Parallelly with the development activities pertaining to the new discovery, Eni will continue to explore the Great Nooros Area with the drilling of another wildcat well called Nidoco NW-1 DIR this year. The Nidoco NW-1 DIR well is located in the Abu Madi West concession.

Eni stated: “The discovery of Bashrush is further demonstration of the effectiveness of Eni’s “incremental” exploration strategy, aimed at selecting high value opportunities and ensuring fast development of the new discoveries through existing infrastructures.”

The Italian oil and gas company, through its affiliate IEOC, holds a 37.5% stake in the North El Hammad concession, which is in participation with the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS). BP has a 37.5% stake and Total holds 25% of the Contractor interest.

In the North El Hammad concession, which is in participation with the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS), Eni through its affiliate IEOC holds 37.5% interest, the role of Operator, BP holds the 37.5%, and Total holds the 25% of the Contractor interest.

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