On 1 July 2018, Dana Petroleum abandoned the Raya 1 wildcat in the El Qaâa Plain block, Gulf of Suez as a dry hole. The well was spudded on 17 June 2018 and was targeting the Nukhul formation in a tilted fault block structure.  Dana PetroleumÂ operates the block with a 37.5% interest. Partners in the application are Petroceltic with a 37.5% and Rockhopper with a 25% interest.  Background information    On 8 November 2012, Petroceltic International plc plc (Petroceltic) announced its participation in a joint venture which was the successful bidder on Block 12 (El Qaâa Plain) in the 2011 EGPC bid round. The block is composed of two largely unexplored areas covering 1,824 sq km in the southern part of the Sinai Peninsula, east of the prolific Gulf of Suez. The overall licence term for the Block is six years, with the work commitment in the first 4 year-period comprising the acquisition of a minimum 450 sq km of new 3D seismic data and the drilling of at least one exploration well. The new concession was formally awarded in 2013.  On 23 November 2015, Dana Petroleum started its seismic operations over El Qaâa Plain block. A 35 km 2D and 467 sq km seismic survey were conducted by Geofizika, the contractor, between November 2015 and January 2016.  On 16 August 2016, Rockhopper Exploration plc (Rockhopper) announced the completion of the acquisition of Beach Petroleum Egypt Pty Ltd (Beach Egypt). The deal was announced on 15 August 2015 and amended on 18 April 2016.Under the agreed amended terms, Rockhopper will acquire the entire issued share capital of Beach Egypt for up to USD 20.5 million (USD 11.9 million will be received upon completion, with approximately USD 8.6 million to occur over the next 12 months subject to receipt of outstanding receivables). Beach Egypt has a 22% interest in the Abu Sennan lease and 25% interest in the El Qaâa Plain block.
Raya 1X (Dana 37,5% op, Petroceltic 37,5%, Rockhopper 25%) in El Qa'a Plain block, P&A dry, Target L. Miocene Nukhul fm.