Eni (as the block operator), BP and Total (as contractors) have successfully drilled the first exploration well in the North El Hammad license, in the conventional Egyptian waters of the Nile Delta, on the prospect called Bashrush
The discovery is located at a water depth of 22 metres, 11km from the coast and 12km north-west from the Nooros field and about one kilometre west from the Baltim South West field, both already in production.
The well discovered a single column of 152 metres thick gas with excellent petrophysical properties within the Messinian age sandstones of the Abu Madi formation. The well will be put to production test.
In this sector of the Egyptian Offshore shallow waters, the discovery of Bashrush demonstrates the significant gas and condensate potential of Messinian formation. Bashrush’s discovery further extends the gas potential of the Abu Madi formation reservoirs that were discovered and produced from the so-called ‘Great Nooros Area’ to the west.
Eni, along with its partners BP and Total, will begin screening the development options for this new discovery in coordination with the Egyptian Petroleum Sector, with the aim of ‘fast tracking’ production through synergies with existing infrastructures in the area.
In parallel with the development activities associated with this new discovery, Eni will continue to explore the ‘Great Nooros Area’ with this year's drilling of another well-known Nidoco NW-1 DIR exploration located in the Abu Madi West concession.
The Bashrush discovery is further proof of the effectiveness of Eni's ‘incremental’ exploration strategy, aimed at selecting high-value opportunities and ensuring the rapid development of new discoveries through existing infrastructures.
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 per cent interest, the role of operator, BP holds the 37.5 per cent, and Total holds the 25 per cent of the contractor interest.
Eni has been present in Egypt since 1954, where it operates through IEOC Production. The 2020 equity production of IEOC is in the range of 280,000 boepd.
