BP has successfully completed two additional gas wells in the Raven Field, part of its significant West Nile Delta (WND) development off Egypt's Mediterranean coast, the Ministry of Petroleum announced in a statement on Sunday. The drilling was carried out using the Valaris DS-12 drillship, which began operations in mid-2024. Gas production is now expected to begin in February 2025, three months ahead of schedule, following expedited drilling and installation efforts. After finishing operations at the Raven Field, the Valaris DS-12 has moved on to the King exploration area, where it will target natural gas in the Lower Miocene layer. The reservoir is anticipated to be reached by late February 2025. The proximity of the King area to BP's existing West Nile Delta infrastructure will facilitate a seamless connection to the company's production facilities, supporting Egypt's broader strategy to boost local gas output. This development is part of the Ministry of Petroleum's wider initiative to expand offshore drilling in the Mediterranean. Recent projects include Chevron's Khanjar-1, ExxonMobil's Nefertari-1, BP's Raven field operations, and Eni's resumed drilling at the Zohr field. These efforts are crucial to strengthening Egypt's position as a regional energy hub. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: Y.Yasser
