ChatGPT said: Egypt's Ministry of Petroleum and Dana Gas announced Wednesday promising results from the appraisal well Begonia-2. This marks the first phase of Dana Gas's $100 million investment programme aimed at boosting domestic gas production. Drilling and logging at Begonia-2, the first appraisal well in the Begonia development area, indicate initial estimated gas reserves of 9 billion cubic feet (bcf), with potential for further increases. The well, located in the New El Manzala concession and operated by El Wastani Patrolmen Company (Wasco), is expected to produce an additional 5 million cubic feet of gas per day. The appraisal well is part of Dana Gas's broader plan to drill 11 new wells using the EDC-54 rig, with the programme projected to add approximately 80 bcf of additional gas reserves, supporting long-term production growth. In parallel, Dana Gas has begun recompletion work on the Balsam-3 well, repurposing the EGYPTCO rig from plugging and abandonment mode. This well is expected to yield an estimated 4 bcf of reserves and increase gas output by 3 million cubic feet per day. Officials noted that the successful recompletion of Balsam-3 will mitigate risks linked to future exploration drilling in the region. Richard Hall, CEO of Dana Gas, described the developments as a "significant strategic milestone," highlighting the company's decade-long commitment to Egypt's gas sector. He emphasised the importance of the recently signed concession area consolidation agreement with the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS), which enabled the expansion of operational areas under improved financial terms. "The success of drilling this well (Begonia-2) opens vast prospects for gas production … and presents promising future opportunities for expansionand growth. It will also extend the operational life of our assets in Egypt." Hall said. He reaffirmed Dana Gas's commitment to reinvesting government payments into ongoing development projects and stressed the need for regular payments to sustain investment momentum. Earlier this month, Egypt's Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Karim Badawy visited the Begonia-2 drilling site to oversee progress as part of the ministry's wider incentive packages designed to increase domestic natural gas output and support economic growth through enhanced resource utilisation. Dana Gas's investment program forms a key component of Egypt's strategy to strengthen its national energy system amid rising demand. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: Y.Yasser
