Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Italian energy major Eni has presented a new $180 million investment plan aimed at increasing Egypt’s natural gas production and stabilising output from some of the country’s most vital offshore fields, according to industry sources familiar with the proposal.
The plan, submitted to Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, focuses on accelerating drilling campaigns, expanding wellhead infrastructure, and deploying enhanced recovery technologies across several concessions operated by the company. The proposal comes as Egypt works to address declining gas output and rising domestic demand, particularly during the summer months.
While neither Cairo nor Eni has publicly confirmed the full details, officials say the package includes fast-tracked drilling of new development wells, additional subsea tiebacks, and upgrades at existing facilities. The company is also said to be evaluating options to bring smaller satellite fields online more quickly to offset natural decline rates in mature reservoirs.
Eni, Egypt’s largest natural gas producer, plays a central role in the country’s energy landscape. Its Zohr field the largest gas discovery in the Mediterranean, has been a cornerstone of Egypt’s supply since 2017, though production from the field has tapered in recent years. The Italian operator’s latest pitch appears designed to slow those declines and reinforce Egypt’s position as a regional gas hub.
Egypt has faced intermittent pressure on its domestic energy system, including power shortages linked partly to reduced gas output and greater-than-expected demand. The government has been seeking fresh investment from international partners to reverse the trend and restore export flows via its two liquefied natural gas terminals.
If approved, Eni’s proposed investment programme could begin as early as next year, with drilling expected to focus on both the Nile Delta and offshore Mediterranean blocks. Officials say the initiative aligns with Cairo’s wider strategy to attract more upstream spending while streamlining regulatory processes for foreign operators.
For Eni, the investment underscores its long-standing relationship with Egypt and its ambition to strengthen its portfolio in the eastern Mediterranean. For Egypt, it represents a potentially critical boost at a moment when meeting domestic energy needs and preserving export revenues has become a strategic priority.
