Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Shell Egypt has announced the arrival of the deepwater drilling vessel Stena IceMAX in the Mediterranean Sea, marking a significant step in the company’s 2026 offshore drilling program and reaffirming its long-term investment strategy in Egypt’s natural gas sector.
The sixth-generation drillship, operated by the offshore contractor Stena Drilling, has begun preparations to execute a multi-well campaign off Egypt’s northern coast. The program will commence with the development well Mina West, followed by the exploratory well Sirius and then the exploratory well Velox.
Operated locally by Shell Egypt, the Stena IceMAX is among the most technologically advanced deepwater drilling units currently active in the region. Its deployment reflects the scale and technical complexity of ongoing operations in the Eastern Mediterranean, where Egypt has sought to consolidate its role as a regional energy hub.
Developing Existing Discoveries
The drilling campaign, undertaken by Shell and its partners, targets the development of the Mina West field within the North East El-Amriya concession area. The development plan includes subsea tiebacks connecting the new wells to existing deepwater production infrastructure in the concession, allowing for cost-efficient integration into established facilities.
Such infrastructure-led exploration and development strategies are increasingly central to offshore gas economics, particularly in mature basins where proximity to processing and export infrastructure can significantly shorten timelines and reduce capital expenditure.
In parallel, the Sirius exploratory well will assess a natural gas reservoir located in comparatively shallower waters within the same concession area. By targeting prospects near producing assets, Shell aims to accelerate potential commercialization should viable volumes be confirmed.
Frontier Exploration in the Herodotus Basin
The Velox well will be drilled as part of exploration activities in new frontier acreage, specifically in the North Cleopatra area of the Herodotus Basin, a geologically promising but less developed zone in the Mediterranean.
The Herodotus Basin has drawn increasing attention in recent years due to its untapped hydrocarbon potential and proximity to regional export routes. Successful drilling in the basin could open additional phases of offshore development and reinforce Egypt’s strategic gas reserves.
Strategic Energy Ambitions
Dalia El Gabry, Vice Chairman and Country Chair of Shell Egypt, described the arrival of the Stena IceMAX as a milestone not only for the company but also for Egypt’s oil and gas industry.
She emphasized that the deployment enables Shell to move into the next phase of its Mediterranean drilling plans this year, ensuring progress on the Mina West development and the continuation of exploration across other offshore prospects.
“These activities align with Egypt’s strategic ambition to become a regional energy hub through the responsible and disciplined development of its natural gas resources,” El Gabry said, reaffirming Shell’s commitment to cooperating with local partners and the Egyptian government to execute projects efficiently and safely while maximizing value for the domestic market.
Sustaining Long-Term Gas Supply
Shell and its partners plan to continue expanding offshore exploration and development activities in Egypt, focusing on prospects located near existing infrastructure as well as high-potential frontier reservoirs.
The renewed drilling push comes as Egypt works to stabilize and increase domestic gas output amid rising demand and shifting regional supply dynamics. By accelerating exploration in both mature and frontier zones, operators aim to bolster long-term supply security and strengthen Egypt’s position in Mediterranean energy markets.
With the Stena IceMAX now operational, 2026 is expected to be a pivotal year for offshore gas activity in Egyptian waters, potentially shaping the country’s production outlook for the remainder of the decade.
