On 12 February 2019, DEA announced that it was awarded the East Damanhour Onshore block (Block 10), Nile Delta onshore basin. The block covers 1,418 sq km and it is located west of DEAâs Disouq development leases, where the company has successfully explored the Pliocene and Messinian plays. According to DEA, the block offers also a significant potential in the pre-Messinian structures  The company is committed to drill five to seven wells in the block during the first three-year exploration period.  Background information  The block is part of former Disouq exploration licence (RWE Dea op 50%, INA 50%), relinquishment at expiry of contract in July 2013. Former operators are IEOC (Eni), Conoco, Western Atlas & RWE.  The wells drilled in the block are Sidi Salim 1 (gas shows), Qawasim 1, Tida 1, Qallin 1, Qallin Southwest 1 and Itai El Barud 1 dry holes.  The Disouq, Sidi Ghazy Northwest and Sidi Salem Southeast fields are not part of the block.
DEA has been awarded the East Damanhour tract, also known as Block 10, near its producing Disouq licence