Zohr field currently contributes more than 23% of Egypt’s total gas production, said Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, adding that the Mediterranean region would witness stability in production and further development and exploration plans.
Badawi revealed during an interview on DMC TV Channel that Eni, the operator of Zohr, will increase its investment in Egypt by $8 billion over the coming five years, including projects in the Zohr, Dennis, Nour, and Narges fields.
Moreover, he noted that between October 25 and December 26, more than $1.2 billion in foreign investments will be directed to over 100 exploration wells, with about 14 exploration wells expected to be in the Mediterranean region.
“We want the partners to increase their investments in the local production and to increase their investments in the discovery processes to be able to add to reserves and production,” the minister said during the interview.
Zohr, the largest natural gas field in Egypt and the Mediterranean, was discovered in 2015 and reached peak production of 2.7 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d) in 2019 before output declined in 2021. The field is operated by Eni alongside partners Rosneft, bp, and Mubadala Petroleum.
Badawi explained that oil and gas production faced a decline as international companies reduced operations in Egypt due to delayed arrears. He explained that Global economic pressures, currency fluctuations, and increased import bills strained Egypt’s ability to make timely payments to its foreign partners, who scaled back investment and drilling programs, causing disruption of energy supply and contributing to last year’s power cuts.
To counter this decline, the ministry prioritised restoring investor confidence and introducing investment incentives. “We worked with our partners to ensure timely payments, improve contract economics, and encourage reinvestment in key areas like the Western Desert and the Mediterranean,” Badawi stated.
In 2025, Egypt would pay nearly $1 billion in dues, with $500 million disbursed in September and another $620 million scheduled for later in the year. The minister added that investors regained trust and the rate of production began to increase in mid-2025 after months of joint work with international companies.
