Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources has announced a significant milestone in its energy sector, with 40 new oil and gas discoveries made between July 2024 and May 2025. These discoveries are the result of drilling 75 wells across various regions, with 69 evaluated to date. The newly found reserves are estimated at 42 million barrels of oil and condensates, and 1.3 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.
The Western Desert has emerged as the most prolific area, accounting for 29 of the 40 discoveries. These finds contribute approximately 32.7 million barrels of oil and condensates, along with 46.5 billion cubic feet of gas to Egypt’s reserves.
In the Mediterranean region, eight wells were drilled, leading to five gas discoveries.These are estimated to hold 1.2 trillion cubic feet of gas and 4 million barrels of oil and condensates.
The Gulf of Suez and the Eastern Desert saw the drilling of 12 wells, with 11 evaluated so far. This resulted in six oil discoveries, adding 1.7 billion cubic feet of gas and 6 million barrels of oil and condensates to the national reserves.
Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi highlighted the sector’s growth, noting the signing of 12 new exploration agreements during the 2024–2025 fiscal year and preceding months. These agreements represent a total investment commitment of $631 million. Additionally, 15 more agreements are in the final stages of approval, expected to bring in an additional $298.48 million.
The cumulative effect of these discoveries and agreements is projected to boost Egypt’s daily production by approximately 41,000 barrels of oil and 1.37 billion cubic feet of gas. This increase is a significant step toward enhancing the country’s energy self-sufficiency and reducing reliance on imports.
Energy analyst Dr. Layla Hassan commented, “These developments underscore Egypt’s commitment to bolstering its energy sector. The strategic focus on diverse regions like the Western Desert and the Mediterranean indicates a comprehensive approach to resource exploration.”
The Ministry’s proactive measures, including the integration of digital tools and artificial intelligence in exploration activities, aim to streamline operations and attract further investment. Promotion of these opportunities through Egypt’s commercial offices and diplomatic missions is expected to raise global awareness of the country’s investment prospects.
