Italy's oil company, Eni announced on Wednesday a new gas discovery off the Egyptian coast in the Mediterranean. Eni, along with contractors British BP and France's Total, successfully drilled the first exploration well in the North Hammad concession, which Eni operates, the company said in a statement. In 2015, Eni was awarded a 37.5 percent share in the North El-Hammad licence block, while BP holds 37.5 percent and Total holds the remaining 25 percent. Exploration by the three companies began in the block three years later. The new discovery, which is at the Bashrush prospect, is located at a depth of 22 metres, and is 11 km from the coast. It is also close to the Nooros and Baltim South West offshore fields, both of which are also operated by Eni. The well is a single 152-metre-thick gas column in Messinian age sandstone, and it has excellent petrophysical properties, the company added that the well will be tested for production. The three companies will coordinate with Egypt's petroleum authorities to begin studying the development options for the new discovery, with the aim of fast tracking output. Eni also plans to drill another well, Nidoco NW-1 DIR, this year in the Great Nooros area, located in the Abu Madi West concession.
