Egypt is exploring the potential of unconventional oil in its Western Desert to increase crude production. The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources announced that technical studies have revealed promising prospects in certain oil concessions in the region. These findings were presented during a meeting between Minister Karim Badaoui and Cherif Fouda, CEO of NESR, an international group specializing in oil and gas services and technologies.
The studies were conducted by NESR in collaboration with an American institution and international experts in unconventional hydrocarbons. The identified resources correspond to oil trapped in rock formations with low permeability, which prevents flow at economically viable rates using conventional extraction methods. Exploitation requires specific technologies, including hydraulic fracturing, to facilitate oil circulation and recovery.
Minister Karim Badaoui emphasized that evaluating and valorizing this potential aligns with the ministry's strategy to diversify production sources and increase extracted crude volumes. This approach accompanies the intensification of research and exploration activities, acceleration of new discoveries, and improvement of existing field yields. Badaoui also highlighted the importance of recent technologies and international expertise in opening new prospects for national production.
The meeting participants agreed to take concrete steps to follow up on the studies. Coordination between NESR, the Egyptian Petroleum Authority (EGPC), and concession operators will enable the preparation of a pilot well drilling program. The objective is to verify the identified potential and assess the technical and economic feasibility of larger-scale exploitation.
A visit by specialized experts to Egypt is planned to examine the results with EGPC production teams and specify technical needs, required technologies, and necessary steps to launch operations. The meeting was attended by senior officials, including EGPC's Director-General Salah Abdel-Karim, Egas' Executive Director Sayed Selim, and Ishak Saad, head of the ministry's crude production administration.
NESR's collaboration with international experts and institutions aims to provide Egypt with the necessary expertise to unlock its unconventional oil potential. The Egyptian government is seeking to boost its oil production and reduce dependence on imports. The development of unconventional oil resources could provide a significant boost to the country's economy.
The next steps in the process will involve further evaluation and assessment of the identified resources. If the pilot wells prove successful, Egypt could move forward with large-scale exploitation of its unconventional oil resources. This would require significant investment and technological expertise, but could provide a major boost to the country's oil production and economy.
Key points
- Egypt explores unconventional oil potential in Western Desert to boost crude production.
- Technical studies reveal promising prospects in certain oil concessions.
- Pilot well drilling program to be prepared to verify potential and assess feasibility.
