Egypt announced a significant natural gas discovery in the Western Desert, marking a new step in the country’s energy ambitions. The Petroleum Ministry said the new find, located in the Badr-15 area, holds a daily production capacity of 16 million cubic feet of gas and 750 barrels of condensate.
Officials estimate the discovery will add around 15 billion cubic feet of gas to Egypt’s reserves, strengthening the nation’s self-sufficiency goals amid rising domestic demand.
The ministry described the find as part of broader investment incentives aimed at gradually increasing production and reducing energy imports, reflecting Egypt’s drive to become a regional energy hub.
Petroleum Minister Karim Badawi said on Friday that Egypt aims to raise natural gas production to between 6.4 and 6.6 billion cubic feet per day within five years.
He noted that this growth will be powered by substantial foreign investments and new exploratory projects across the Mediterranean Sea and the Western Desert.
Badawi revealed that 14 exploratory wells are scheduled to be drilled in the Mediterranean by 2026, with potential reserves of about 12 trillion cubic feet of gas.
He acknowledged that Egypt’s domestic gas and petroleum production had declined since 2021 due to reduced investments but said recent reforms have reversed the trend.
“These efforts are restoring confidence among international investors,” the minister said, emphasising that Egypt’s energy strategy now focuses on stability, exploration, and sustainable growth.
The Western Desert discovery stands as another milestone in Egypt’s ongoing pursuit of energy security and economic resilience amid shifting global markets.