Eni plans 230 exploration, development wells in Egypt in next phase

Italian energy group Eni plans to drill 30 exploration wells and 200 development wells in Egypt in the coming phase as it seeks to boost oil and natural gas production, the Egyptian presidency said on Tuesday.

The programme will focus on Egypt’s Mediterranean and Western Desert regions and will use advanced seismic surveying technologies and artificial intelligence to identify and develop new resources, the presidency said after a meeting between President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi.

The company plans to intensify exploration and development drilling during 2026 and 2027, particularly in Egypt’s Mediterranean and Western Desert regions, using advanced seismic surveying technologies and artificial intelligence to increase oil and gas production, the presidency said.

The drilling programme is part of an integrated investment plan covering exploration, development and operations across Eni’s concession areas in Egypt, including the Mediterranean and the Zohr gas field.

Descalzi said Eni had invested $8.5 billion in Egypt and was committed to expanding its role as the country’s largest energy company and a major partner in oil and gas exploration and production.

The meeting also covered plans to connect Cyprus’ Cronos gas field to Egyptian infrastructure, a project that could strengthen Egypt’s role as a regional hub for gas processing and trading.

Descalzi described the planned connection as a potential model for regional cooperation in the gas sector.

Sisi stressed the importance of expanding exploration and production and deepening regional integration to strengthen Egypt’s position as a hub for gas trading, liquefaction and exports, the presidency said.

Egypt is seeking to increase domestic oil and gas production through new exploration investments while making greater use of its LNG infrastructure to process and export gas from regional fields.