‘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
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‘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.



Saudi Arabia’s Mandatory List Boosts Local Companies in Government Procurement

A factory in Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A factory in Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia’s Mandatory List Boosts Local Companies in Government Procurement

A factory in Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A factory in Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia’s Mandatory List has emerged as a strategic lever to strengthen the role of local businesses in public sector procurement.

Designed to drive demand for Saudi-made products, the list not only expands market opportunities for domestic manufacturers but also ensures that government entities procure reliable goods that meet stringent quality standards.

Last year, government tenders that included items from the list surpassed 46,600, with a combined value of SAR67.6 billion ($18 billion).

The Local Content and Government Procurement Authority has been steadily updating the list, adding about 407 new products in 2024.

This week, officials announced a further expansion, introducing 105 additional products across seven key sectors: pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, construction, transportation and logistics, furniture, cybersecurity, and information technology.

Authorities say this effort underscores a broader commitment to make local content a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s future economy. By prioritizing Saudi products, the government aims to empower national industries, spur innovation, and increase job opportunities while reducing reliance on imports.

The latest update is also part of policies favoring small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and companies listed on the Saudi financial market.

The initiative seeks to strengthen local supply chains and raise the readiness of domestic factories to fulfill public sector demand.

According to the Authority, expected government spending on the newly added products exceeds SAR2.3 billion ($613 million). More than 100 Saudi factories are already equipped to meet this anticipated demand.

These measures form part of broader efforts to maximize the economic impact of public spending. In the second half of last year alone, a series of new policies, strategic agreements, and national programs contributed to economic gains exceeding SAR80 billion ($21.3 billion).

The Authority also integrated local content requirements into 54 privatization projects valued at SAR269 billion ($71.7 billion). Of these, 24 projects have already achieved their targets, representing overSAR 131 billion ($34.9 billion) in contracts aimed at boosting private sector participation and employment.