Shell Announces Discovery of New Gas-Bearing Reservoir in Egypt

An offshore gas platform. (Reuters)
An offshore gas platform. (Reuters)
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Shell Announces Discovery of New Gas-Bearing Reservoir in Egypt

An offshore gas platform. (Reuters)
An offshore gas platform. (Reuters)

Shell Egypt announced it discovered a new gas-bearing reservoir in the Northeast el-Amriya block in Egypt’s Mediterranean Sea.

The company said in a press release that it has “safely and successfully completed the drilling of the first well in its three-well exploration campaign, Mina West, located in the Northeast el-Amriya block, in the Mediterranean Sea.”

Shell indicated that drilling activities occurred at a water depth of around 250 meters below sea level in the offshore Nile Delta, with primary data confirming the presence of a gas-bearing reservoir.

“Further evaluation of the acquired data is required to determine the size and recoverable potential of the discovery.”

Vice President and Country Chair of Shell Egypt Khaled Kacem said the discovery is an important step forward for Shell Egypt, “bolstering our growth aspirations and ongoing commitment as a critical partner in Egypt’s energy landscape.”

“Successful delivery of our current exploration campaign is part of Shell Egypt’s growth strategy. Shell, together with its partners, will continue to work towards safely and efficiently reaching the development phase of the block,” he added.

In September, Shell signed a Farm-Out Agreement (FOA) with Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC), under which KUFPEC acquired a 40 percent stake in Northeast el-Amriya block, with Shell holding the remaining 60 percent stake of the partner’s share with the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS).

Shell had contracted the Stena Drilling for Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit (MODU), Stena Forth rig, to carry out the drilling campaign.



Saudi Arabia Sets Digital Innovation Benchmark, Says DGA Chief

Governor of Saudi Arabia’s Digital Government Authority (DGA) Ahmed Alsuwaiyan
Governor of Saudi Arabia’s Digital Government Authority (DGA) Ahmed Alsuwaiyan
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Saudi Arabia Sets Digital Innovation Benchmark, Says DGA Chief

Governor of Saudi Arabia’s Digital Government Authority (DGA) Ahmed Alsuwaiyan
Governor of Saudi Arabia’s Digital Government Authority (DGA) Ahmed Alsuwaiyan

Saudi Arabia is leading the way in digital technology for citizens, residents, visitors, and businesses, according to Ahmed Alsuwaiyan, Governor of the Kingdom’s Digital Government Authority (DGA).
The Kingdom has made major advances in sectors like health, municipalities, and education, affirmed Alsuwaiyan.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Alsuwaiyan noted that Saudi Arabia is now among the top 10 countries globally for digital government.
It ranks sixth in the Global E-Government Development Index, reflecting the government's dedication to becoming a top digital state and improving service efficiency.
Alsuwaiyan reminded that Saudi Arabia is fourth worldwide, first in the region, and second in Asia in the United Nations e-Government Development Index and related measures.
Moreover, Saudi Arabia has achieved significant success in digital government, ranking second globally for digital services among G20 countries and seventh in the e-Participation Index.
The Kingdom surged 25 places in the 2024 UN e-Government Development Index, joining the top 10 worldwide and becoming the first Middle Eastern country to do so.
Saudi Arabia’s national transformation plan, “Vision 2030,” has driven this progress, boosting the Kingdom from 52nd place in 2018 to sixth this year.
Saudi Arabia also rose 32 spots in the Human Capital Index, now leading globally in digital government skills.
Riyadh is third worldwide in the UN e-Government Development Index, following Tallinn and Madrid, and ranks first in the G20 region. The city excels in regulatory frameworks and providing key public service information.
Alsuwaiyan credited these achievements to a focus on creating impact through technology and effective public-private partnerships.
Efforts to improve infrastructure and foster a supportive investment environment have also contributed to Saudi Arabia's leading role in digital government practices.