Cairo, Egypt – November 9, 2025 – Egypt's Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources announced on Saturday a significant new natural gas discovery in the Western Desert, marking a pivotal step in the country's ongoing efforts to enhance energy self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on imports.
The discovery was made in the Badr-15 exploration area, located in the vast and resource-rich Western Desert region. According to the official statement released by the ministry, the new well has demonstrated an initial production capacity of 16 million cubic feet of natural gas per day, along with 750 barrels of condensate – a high-value light liquid hydrocarbon often produced alongside natural gas.
The ministry estimates that the field will contribute approximately 15 billion cubic feet of gas to Egypt's national reserves. This addition, while modest in the context of global giants like Qatar or Russia, represents a meaningful boost for Egypt, a country that has been navigating the delicate balance between domestic energy demand and export commitments in recent years.
"These results come as part of the investment incentive measures implemented by the ministry to gradually increase production and reduce imports," the statement read, underscoring the strategic intent behind the exploration push.
The announcement follows a series of proactive policy measures aimed at revitalizing Egypt's hydrocarbon sector. On Friday, just one day prior to the discovery reveal, Egyptian Petroleum Minister Karim Badawi provided a detailed outlook on the ministry's ambitious production targets during an interview with the state-run Middle East News Agency (MENA).
Minister Badawi disclosed that the ministry is targeting a substantial increase in natural gas output, aiming to reach between 6.4 and 6.6 billion cubic feet per day over the next five years. This represents a notable escalation from current production levels, which have hovered around 5.5 to 6 billion cubic feet per day in recent months, according to industry reports.
To achieve these goals, Egypt is banking on significant capital inflows from international oil and gas companies. "The plan is supported by major investments from global partners," Badawi stated, highlighting the critical role of foreign expertise and funding in unlocking the country's untapped potential.
One of the cornerstone initiatives in this strategy is an extensive offshore drilling campaign scheduled for 2026. The minister revealed that 14 exploratory wells will be drilled in the Mediterranean Sea, with a targeted reserve potential of approximately 12 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. This offshore push builds on Egypt's earlier successes in the Eastern Mediterranean, particularly the giant Zohr field discovered in 2015 by Italian energy giant Eni, which transformed Egypt into a regional gas hub.
The Mediterranean drilling program is expected to involve partnerships with major international players, including Eni, BP, Shell, and Chevron, all of whom have established footholds in Egypt's energy sector. The targeted 12 trillion cubic feet would, if confirmed, represent a game-changing addition to Egypt's proven reserves, which currently stand at around 63 trillion cubic feet according to the latest BP Statistical Review of World Energy.
Minister Badawi was candid about the challenges that necessitated this renewed vigor. He acknowledged that domestic production of both natural gas and petroleum has been on a downward trajectory since 2021, primarily due to a slowdown in investment activity. This decline coincided with a period of global energy market volatility, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent geopolitical tensions, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which disrupted international investment flows.
"The decline was mainly attributed to reduced investment in exploration and development," Badawi explained. However, he emphasized that recent efforts to improve the investment climate – including streamlined licensing procedures, attractive fiscal terms, and payment arrears resolutions with international partners – have successfully halted the slide and set the stage for a production rebound.
This turnaround is particularly crucial for Egypt's economy. Natural gas accounts for over 50% of the country's primary energy consumption and has been a cornerstone of its power generation sector. The country achieved a brief period of gas export surplus between 2018 and 2020, utilizing its two liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facilities at Idku and Damietta to supply European markets. However, rising domestic demand – driven by population growth, industrial expansion, and a booming power sector – coupled with field depletion, forced Egypt to resume gas imports in 2022, primarily from Israel and through LNG spot purchases.
The new discovery and the broader production strategy signal Egypt's determination to reclaim its position as a net gas exporter. Industry analysts suggest that achieving the 6.4–6.6 billion cubic feet per day target would not only meet domestic needs but potentially free up volumes for export, especially during summer months when power demand for air conditioning typically peaks.
The Badr-15 discovery was made by a consortium that includes the state-owned Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) and international partners, though specific operator details were not disclosed in the ministry's statement. The Western Desert has long been a prolific region for Egyptian hydrocarbons, hosting numerous fields operated by companies such as Apache Corporation (now part of APA Corporation) and international majors.
This latest find adds to a string of recent exploration successes. In 2024 alone, Egypt announced multiple discoveries in both the Mediterranean and the Western Desert, collectively adding an estimated 100 billion cubic feet to reserves. The cumulative effect of these developments is gradually rebuilding investor confidence in Egypt's upstream sector.
Looking ahead, the ministry's strategy extends beyond mere production increases. It encompasses a holistic approach to energy security, including the development of green hydrogen projects, expansion of renewable energy capacity, and enhancements to the national gas grid infrastructure. However, natural gas remains the linchpin of Egypt's energy transition pathway, serving as a bridge fuel toward a lower-carbon future.
The announcement has been met with cautious optimism from market observers. "This discovery, while not transformative on its own, is part of a broader positive momentum in Egypt's gas sector," said Ahmed Hassan, an energy analyst at Cairo-based CI Capital. "The key will be execution – turning these exploration successes into sustained production growth."
For the Egyptian government, led by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, energy self-sufficiency is not just an economic imperative but a national security priority. The new discovery and the minister's forward-looking statements reinforce the administration's narrative of economic resilience and strategic foresight in the energy domain.
As drilling rigs prepare for the 2026 Mediterranean campaign and production from Badr-15 ramps up, Egypt appears poised for a new chapter in its hydrocarbon story – one that could see the country once again emerge as a key player in regional energy dynamics.
