Italian energy major ENI, who is the Operator of the Block, BP and France’s Total as Contractor members 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, ENI said on July 1.
The new discovery is located in 22 metres of water depth, 11 kilometres from the coast and 12 kilometres North-West from the Nooros field and about 1 kilometre west of the Baltim South West field, both already in production, ENI said.
The well discovered a single 152 metres thick gas column within the Messinian age sandstones of the Abu Madi formation with excellent petrophysical properties. The well will be tested for production.
According to ENI, the discovery of Bashrush demonstrates the significant gas and condensate potential of the Messinian formations in this sector of the Egyptian Offshore shallow waters. The discovery of Bashrush further extends to the west the gas potential of the Abu Madi formation reservoirs discovered and produced from the so-called Great Nooros Area.
ENI, together with its partners BP and Total, in coordination with the Egyptian Petroleum Sector, will begin screening the development options of this new discovery, with the aim of “fast tracking” production through synergies with the area’s existing infrastructures.
In parallel with the development activities associated with this new discovery, ENI will continue to explore the Great Nooros Area with the drilling, this year, of another exploration well called Nidoco NW-1 DIR, located in the Abu Madi West concession.
