Egypt's General Petroleum Company announced that it has commenced operation of the first of three 1,000-hp modern drilling rigs. The rigs were provided by the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) to intensify oil well drilling in the Gharib fields, the Eastern Desert. In a report to the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources and EGPC on the latest developments, the General Petroleum Company stated that the new rigs are characterised by high operational efficiency, faster well drilling, and easier mobility between sites at a lower cost. These advantages, according to the company, contribute to implementing plans with greater efficiency and economic feasibility. The company added that it is currently carrying out an intensive drilling programme in the Gulf of Gharib fields, supported by EGPC. The programme aims to drill 75 wells within 12 months, targeting an additional 7,500 barrels per day and raising total production from the Gharib fields to 9,000 barrels per day, relying on the efforts of the General Petroleum Company's engineers and technicians. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: M. S. Salama