CAIRO: Shell Egypt announced on Wednesday four discoveries of oil and natural gas in the company's concessions in the Western Desert over 2006, boosting the company's oil and gas reserves in Egypt. Zainul Rahim, Chairman of Shell Companies in Egypt, said in a statement Wednesday that Shell Egypt made the first discovery in the Abu Gharadig basin in the BED 1 Development lease in April 2006. The discovery "was subsequently tested at a rate of approximately 25 million standard cubic feet of gas [post frac] and 2,050 barrels of oil and condensates per day, he added. He added that the second discovery was made in November 2006 within the BED 2 Development lease, noting that the new well's capacity amounted to 17 million cubic feet of gas per day in addition to 2,000 barrels of oil. Shell Egypt has made two other discoveries in its West Sitra Concession and plans to test the wells for production capacity. "Shell Egypt's exploration activities in 2006 have been extremely successful, Zainul Rahim said, noting that Shell Egypt will maintain its commitment to the active pursuit of new exploration opportunities in the Western Desert.
