BP has announced a deepwater gas discovery in the East Nile Delta offshore Egypt.
Wireline logs, fluid samples and pressure data confirmed the presence of gas and condensate in 38m net of Oligocene sands.
The company says the well, Salamat, is the deepest ever drilled in the Nile Delta and the first well in the North Damietta Offshore concession, granted in February 2010, and operated by BP.
Salamat, 75km north of Damietta and 35km north west of Temsah, was drilled using the sixth generation semi-submersible rig Maersk Discoverer in 649m water.
BP said further appraisal would be required to better define the field resources.
Mike Daly, executive VP exploration at BP, said: “Success with Salamat proves hydrocarbons in the centre of a 50km-long structure. With a hydrocarbon column in excess of 180m, the discovery increases our confidence in the materiality of the deep Oligocene play in the East Nile Delta.”
Hesham Mekawi, BP Egypt regional president said standalone and tie-back solutions to the nearby Temsah infrastructure development were being evaluated.