Written by: Karim Hammam
Egypt is preparing to launch the first phase of a massive, advanced marine seismic exploration project in the Eastern Mediterranean, a step aimed at enhancing opportunities for natural gas exploration and development and improving geological data in the region.
Details of the marine exploration project
The project is being led by the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS), in cooperation with a global consortium including SLB and Viridien. Egypt is scheduled to deploy the exploration vessel BGP Commander to cover an area of up to 18,000 square kilometers in the first phase, with the total project area to extend to 99,000 square kilometers during the work phases.
The exploration vessel has already arrived in Port Said, and surveying operations are expected to begin within the next two weeks, specifically in the Dennis area, using ocean-bottom node technology to obtain accurate and detailed data that will support future operations.
Goals and motives of the Egyptian energy sector
This step comes at a time when Egypt, despite being one of the largest natural gas producers on the African continent, is facing challenges represented by a temporary decline in production and an increase in domestic consumption, which has led to increased reliance on imports for a temporary period, according to data from African Energy Research.
Through these extensive exploration projects, the energy sector seeks to reverse this downward trend and develop more gas fields to support the needs of the local market and enhance production and export capabilities, as part of a comprehensive plan for recovery and sustainable growth.
