Eni has announced a significant natural gas and condensate discovery at the Denise W 1 exploration well within the Temsah Concession, marking a new addition to Egypt’s offshore energy portfolio.
Preliminary estimates indicate approximately 2 trillion cubic feet of gas initially in place, alongside around 130 million barrels of associated condensates. The discovery is located roughly 70 kilometres offshore in water depths of 95 metres, and less than 10 kilometres from existing production infrastructure—enabling the potential for accelerated development through existing facilities.
The reservoir is characterised by high-quality gas-bearing sandstone with around 50 metres of net pay, sharing geological similarities with the nearby Temsah field, which has been operational since 2001. The development follows a 20-year concession renewal agreement signed in July 2025 between Eni, the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC), and the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS).
Eni holds a 50% operating stake in the development lease, alongside bp, with operations managed through Petrobel, the joint venture between Eni and EGPC.
The discovery aligns with Eni’s broader strategy of leveraging existing infrastructure to revitalise mature assets. The company, active in Egypt since 1954, reported production of approximately 242,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2025.
In parallel, bp has expanded its footprint in Egypt through recent concession acquisitions in the Mediterranean and Red Sea regions, reinforcing international investor confidence in the country’s upstream sector.
As The Middle East Observer highlights, the discovery underscores Egypt’s continued attractiveness as a strategic energy destination, with infrastructure proximity and sustained foreign investment positioning the country to enhance production capacity and advance its role as a regional gas hub.
