The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources is pleased to confirm a significant new oil discovery in the Gulf of Suez, reinforcing Egypt’s commitment to accelerating domestic hydrocarbon production and energy security.

The discovery was made via the exploratory well “Crystal Northeast Ramadan (NER-1X)”, operated by the Gulf of Suez Petroleum Company (GUPCO), a joint venture between the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) and the UAE’s Dragon Oil.

Key highlights:

• Initial production is expected to reach approximately 3,000 barrels per day as the well is brought into operation.
• Geological analysis was made possible through advanced Ocean Bottom Node (OBN) seismic technology, which identified promising subsurface structures previously inaccessible using conventional methods.
• The existing Al-Fanar production platform was utilized for drilling and early production, allowing the project to leverage existing infrastructure and minimize development costs.
• This discovery aligns with the Ministry’s broader exploration strategy, which has already led to a series of recent oil and gas successes.

“The Ministry is delighted to announce this discovery, which demonstrates once again the value of investing in cutting-edge exploration technologies,” said the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources. “By leveraging our proven infrastructure and deploying advanced seismic methods, we continue to unlock the untapped potential of our mature basins. This success contributes directly to our strategic goals of enhancing domestic production and reducing reliance on imported energy.”

Strategic Impact

• The discovery is part of a coordinated effort to stabilise and grow Egypt’s oil production at a time when global energy markets are under pressure.
• Using existing platforms reduces both capital expenditure and lead time, enabling faster ramp-up to production.
• The Ministry remains committed to exploring and developing mature fields, combining modern technology and infrastructure to boost long-term yields.

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