Shell Announces Discovery of New Gas-Bearing Reservoir in Egypt

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

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 Non-Oil Exports Hit Two-Year High

The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
TT

Saudi Non-Oil Exports Hit Two-Year High

The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)

Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports soared to a two-year high in May, reaching SAR 28.89 billion (USD 7.70 billion), marking an 8.2% year-on-year increase compared to May 2023.

On a monthly basis, non-oil exports surged by 26.93% from April.

This growth contributed to Saudi Arabia’s trade surplus, which recorded a year-on-year increase of 12.8%, reaching SAR 34.5 billion (USD 9.1 billion) in May, following 18 months of decline.

The enhancement of the non-oil private sector remains a key focus for Saudi Arabia as it continues its efforts to diversify its economy and reduce reliance on oil revenues.

In 2023, non-oil activities in Saudi Arabia contributed 50% to the country’s real GDP, the highest level ever recorded, according to the Ministry of Economy and Planning’s analysis of data from the General Authority for Statistics.

Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan emphasized at the “Future Investment Initiative” in October that the Kingdom is now prioritizing the development of the non-oil sector over GDP figures, in line with its Vision 2030 economic diversification plan.

A report by Moody’s highlighted Saudi Arabia’s extensive efforts to transform its economic structure, reduce dependency on oil, and boost non-oil sectors such as industry, tourism, and real estate.

The Saudi General Authority for Statistics’ monthly report on international trade noted a 5.8% growth in merchandise exports in May compared to the same period last year, driven by a 4.9% increase in oil exports, which totaled SAR 75.9 billion in May 2024.

The change reflects movements in global oil prices, while production levels remained steady at under 9 million barrels per day since the OPEC+ alliance began a voluntary reduction in crude supply to maintain prices. Production is set to gradually increase starting in early October.

On a monthly basis, merchandise exports rose by 3.3% from April to May, supported by a 26.9% increase in non-oil exports. This rise was bolstered by a surge in re-exports, which reached SAR 10.2 billion, the highest level for this category since 2017.

The share of oil exports in total exports declined to 72.4% in May from 73% in the same month last year.

Moreover, the value of re-exported goods increased by 33.9% during the same period.