‘Bashrush,’ a New Gas Field in Egypt

FILE PHOTO: A fishing boat sails in the Mediterranean Sea near an oil station in Alexandria, Egypt, July 18, 2017. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A fishing boat sails in the Mediterranean Sea near an oil station in Alexandria, Egypt, July 18, 2017. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/File Photo
TT
20

‘Bashrush,’ a New Gas Field in Egypt

FILE PHOTO: A fishing boat sails in the Mediterranean Sea near an oil station in Alexandria, Egypt, July 18, 2017. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A fishing boat sails in the Mediterranean Sea near an oil station in Alexandria, Egypt, July 18, 2017. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/File Photo

Eni and partners BP and Total have discovered gas and condensate in the Bashrush prospect, 11 km offshore Egypt.

The well had found 102 meters of net gas pay in high-quality sandstones in the Abu Madi formation.

The Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources announced that the initial output of a previously-announced gas well off the coast of Egypt has been estimated at an average of about 32 million cubic feet per day (cfpd).

The discovery has been made at the Bashrush well on the North El Hammad licence by Eni, BP, and Total, Petroleum Minister Tarek El-Molla said in a statement on Tuesday.

The three oil companies will coordinate with the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) to develop a plan to put the well on production.

Eni, together with its partners BP and Total and in coordination with EGAS, will also continue screening the development options of Bashrush, with the aim of fast tracking production through synergies with the area's existing infrastructures.

Eni announced that production from southwest Meleiha concession, which started in July 2019, increased to 12,000 barrels of crude oil per day in one year after the drilling of the SWM-A-6X well.

In the North El Hammad concession, which is in participation with EGAS, Eni through its affiliate IEOC holds 37.5% interest and the role of Operator, BP holds the 37.5%, and Total holds the 25% of the contractor share.

Eni has been present in Egypt since 1954, where it operates through IEOC Production. The current equity production of IEOC is above 300,000 boepd.



Oil Prices Headed for Rebound This Week as US-China Trade Talks Resume

FILE PHOTO: Pump jacks pump oil at an oil field on the shores of the Caspian Sea in Baku, Azerbaijan, October 5, 2017. Picture taken October 5, 2017. REUTERS/Grigory Dukor/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Pump jacks pump oil at an oil field on the shores of the Caspian Sea in Baku, Azerbaijan, October 5, 2017. Picture taken October 5, 2017. REUTERS/Grigory Dukor/File Photo
TT
20

Oil Prices Headed for Rebound This Week as US-China Trade Talks Resume

FILE PHOTO: Pump jacks pump oil at an oil field on the shores of the Caspian Sea in Baku, Azerbaijan, October 5, 2017. Picture taken October 5, 2017. REUTERS/Grigory Dukor/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Pump jacks pump oil at an oil field on the shores of the Caspian Sea in Baku, Azerbaijan, October 5, 2017. Picture taken October 5, 2017. REUTERS/Grigory Dukor/File Photo

Oil prices slipped on Friday but were on track for their first weekly gain in three weeks after US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping resumed trade talks, raising hopes for growth and stronger demand in the world's two largest economies.

Brent crude futures fell 11 cents, or 0.2%, to $65.23 a barrel as of 0634 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude gave up 12 cents, also 0.2%, to $63.25, after gaining around 50 cents on Thursday, Reuters said.

On a weekly basis, both benchmarks were on track to settle higher after falling for two straight weeks. Brent has advanced 2.1% this week, while WTI is trading 4% higher.

China's official Xinhua news agency said trade talks between Xi and Trump took place at Washington's request. Trump said the call had led to a "very positive conclusion," adding the US was "in very good shape with China and the trade deal."

Canada also continued trade talks with the US, with Prime Minister Mark Carney in direct contact with Trump, according to Industry Minister Melanie Joly.

The oil market continued to swing with news on tariff negotiations and data showing how trade uncertainty and the impact of the US levies are flowing through into the global economy.

"The potential for increased US sanctions in Venezuela to limit crude exports and the potential for Israeli strike on Iranian infrastructure add to upside risks for prices," analysts at BMI, a Fitch affiliate, said in a note on Friday.

"But both weaker demand for oil and increased production from both OPEC+ and non-OPEC producers will add to downside price pressures in the coming quarters."