Italian energy company Eni has made a gas discovery with the first exploration well in the North El Hammad license, waters of the Nile Delta, on the prospect called Bashrush.
The new discovery is located in 22 meters of water depth, 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.
"The well discovered a single 152 meters thick gas column within the Messinian age sandstones of the Abu Madi formation with excellent petrophysical properties. The well will be tested for production," Eni said Wednesday.
"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," the company added.
Eni's partners in the block are BP and Total. Eni is already looking at 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," Eni said.
"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 company added.