Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
US energy company Apache Corporation, in partnership with the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC), has announced a new natural gas discovery in Egypt’s Western Desert. The find follows the drilling of the SKAL-1X exploratory well in the South Kalabsha area, according to a statement by the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources.
Preliminary tests indicate daily production rates of approximately 26 million cubic feet (mmcf) of natural gas and 2,700 barrels of condensate, underscoring the potential of the site to bolster domestic energy supplies.
The ministry highlighted that the discovery is a direct result of investment incentives and regulatory measures designed to encourage exploration, attract foreign investment, and reduce Egypt’s natural gas import dependence. Apache has expanded its exploration efforts into new areas adjacent to its existing concessions, leveraging proximity to current infrastructure to lower costs and accelerate development.
Located near the company’s established operations, the discovery is expected to help offset natural declines from mature fields while minimizing capital expenditure. Officials emphasized that rapid development of such discoveries is critical to meeting domestic energy demand and supporting Egypt’s broader energy strategy.
Apache has operated in Egypt since the mid-1990s and remains a key producer in the Western Desert through joint ventures with EGPC and Khalda Petroleum Company, maintaining a strong presence in the country’s upstream sector.
