Petroleum Minister reviews Harbour Energy’s gas production activities at Desouk field

2026-03-07 - 18:34

Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, has met Sameh Sabry, CEO of Harbour Energy for the Middle East and North, to review the activities of the UK-based company in Egypt, particularly its natural gas and condensate production from the Desouk Gas Field in the Delta region. The meeting also addressed joint work plans with BP, the main operator of the West Nile Delta Gas Field and North Alexandria Gas Field. Badawi said the recent success achieved in the Desouk production area reflects the impact of incentive measures introduced by the ministry, which have helped revive investment in developing new resources and drilling wells. These measures have also supported efforts to counter the natural decline in gas production in the area and return output to a growth trajectory. The minister stressed the government’s continued commitment to paying partners’ dues on a regular basis and settling the monthly payment obligations in the coming period, while continuing efforts to clear previous arrears—most of which have already been reduced. He noted that these steps support the injection of the investments required to boost domestic production and ease the burden of energy imports. For his part, Sabry reviewed recent developments in the Desouk area, highlighting a promising new gas discovery. He said the first well, known as “Ezz”, has already been brought into production, while the second well is expected to begin operating soon. Additional drilling is also planned in the coming period. Sabry said these developments have increased gas and condensate production in the Desouk area to around 14,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, driven by the ministry’s incentive measures that encouraged the company to accelerate its investment decisions. He described the results as exceptional and economically significant, particularly as they originate from a low-cost onshore area. Sabry added that the company is also studying the potential for discovering crude oil in the area for the first time. Within the framework of its partnership with BP as the main operator, Sabry also reviewed plans to drill new wells this year in the offshore West Nile Delta fields, reflecting increased operational activity and an expansion of work programmes. He praised the ministry’s commitment to supporting its partners and the continued coordination to resolve challenges facing investments, noting that this has left a positive impression at the company’s global headquarters in the United Kingdom and facilitated faster investment decisions regarding Egypt.