Egypt is about to launch the first phase of seismic exploration in the eastern Mediterranean. The project is being carried out by the state gas company EGAS and a consortium including SLB and Viridien. The total survey area is 95,000 square kilometers, with the work divided into three phases and aimed at finding new gas blocks.
The first phase will survey an offshore area of 18,000 square kilometers. It will use ocean-bottom seismic technology with Ocean Bottom Nodes. This method provides more accurate data on the structure of the subsurface beneath the seabed and improves the quality of seismic data interpretation.
The start was announced by Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Karim Badawi. According to him, the survey results will help identify the most promising sites for exploratory drilling, reduce geological and technical risks, and increase the investment appeal of Egypt’s continental shelf for international energy companies.
Work will begin in the areas of Damietta, Port Said, and Ras el-Bar and will continue through the end of 2026. The multipurpose vessel Commander has already arrived at the port of Port Said, with two more vessels expected. The consortium is also completing technical and logistical preparations to continue the surveys in 2027.
For Egypt, this is part of a broader program. The country was previously among the region’s key gas exporters, but in recent years it has faced a shortfall in domestic supply and has had to increase imports. The reasons are declining output at mature fields and insufficient pace of bringing new reserves online.
The Zohr offshore field, discovered in 2015, remains one of the main gas sources for the domestic market. However, falling production at existing assets heightens the need for new discoveries and stepped-up exploration.
Under a five-year program, Egypt plans to drill about 480 wells with total investment of roughly $5.7 billion. In 2026, it intends to complete drilling of more than 100 new wells in the country’s most promising regions.
Seismic exploration on the Mediterranean shelf is Egypt’s attempt to regain lost ground in the gas market. If the new data confirms promising structures, the country will be able to cut its import dependence and attract international companies to develop its reserves.
Source: Neftegaz.RU News Agency
Image: Neftegaz.RU News Agency
