On 1 July 2020, Eni announced to have successfully drilled Bashrush 2bis, its exploration wildcat in the North El Hammad Offshore block, Nile Delta Basin.  The well encountered a single 152-meter thick gas column within the Messinian sandstones of the Abu Madi Formation at an estimated depth of 3,000 m. The company, which reported excellent petrophysical properties for the reservoir will conduct production testing soon.   Bashrush 2bis is a sidetrack of the new field wildcat Bashrush 2 suspended by the Eni in early April 2020 after 3 months of operations. It was spudded in 20 m of water depth, 11 km from the coast, 12 km northwest from the Nooros field and about 1 km west of the Baltim Southwest field.   In collaboration with partners BP and Total and in coordination with the Egyptian authorities, Eni also announced that it will review the development options of this new discovery with the aim of âfast trackingâ production by using the existing infrastructures in the area.  The North El Hammad Offshore block was awarded to Eni with 37.5% interest through its Egyptian subsidiary IEOC in October 2015. Partners BP and Total hold 37.5% and 25%, respectively. The acreage which covers an area of 1,925 sq km includes 3 other exploration wildcats. Baltim Mare 1 and Baltim West 1, drilled respectively in 1968 and 2007, reported as dry. The last well, Bashrush 1, was suspended by IEOC in December 2019 without further disclosed information, after few days of operations.
Bashrush-2bis nfw 1st well in North El Hammad block (7), WD 22m, Nile Delta west of the Abu Madi West + Baltim-Baltim South devt areas (Greater Nooros area), 152m gas column in the target Abu Madi fm, testing planned and probably fast-track devt. Eni (op), partners BP + Total.