Egypt’s AI-enabled Al-Qaher-II rig prepares to drill Eni’s new Mediterranean gas well

Egypt’s Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Karim Badawy inspected Al-Qaher-II offshore drilling rig in Alexandria on Monday ahead of its deployment to drill a new exploratory well for Italy’s ENI in the Mediterranean Sea, the ministry said in a statement.

The rig, operated by the Modern Drilling Company, will soon begin drilling the Dennis West 1X exploration well in the Temsah concession off Port Said at a water depth of 98 metres. The well will be drilled directionally to reach depths exceeding 4,000 metres, the statement added.

Badawy said the inspection comes as part of the ministry’s strategy to ramp up oil and gas production, attract fresh investment in exploration, and reduce Egypt’s reliance on imports.

He noted that expanding drilling programmes reflects the confidence and continued commitment of international partners such as Eni to invest in Egypt’s energy sector, helping sustain rising gas output and unlock new discoveries.

The minister praised the Modern Drilling Company’s workforce for maintaining strong safety standards and operational discipline, highlighting the firm’s pioneering use of artificial intelligence in drilling and occupational safety management—an industry first in Egypt.

Badawy also reviewed a briefing on drilling operations at the Dennis field, managed by Petrobel, a joint venture between the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) and Eni.

The Qaher-II rig, capable of drilling up to 30,000 feet, represents Egypt’s growing technical capacity in offshore operations. Equipped with advanced digital and automation systems in collaboration with Schlumberger, it is positioned to undertake some of the region’s most complex and high-precision drilling projects.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English

Subediting: Y.Yasser