On 30 October 2019, two state-run agencies, the Egyptian National Petroleum for Exploration and Development Company (ENPEDCO) and the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) were granted two exploration licences by Egyptian Authorities to jointly explore the Abu Sennan and Ras Qattara areas, in the Western Desert. The decree signed by the Egyptian Authorities is related to an agreement inked by each party in early September 2019, which stipulates that the two state-run agencies are committed to drill four exploratory wells for a minimum investment of USD 4 million.  The South East Abu Sennan licence extends over 1,009 sq km, mainly in the Abu Gharadiq Basin. It includes one oil field, El Diyur South West, and 7 dry exploratory wells. El Diyur South West was discovered in 2005 by Apache and is currently operated from a distinct production acreage by DIPETCO.  The South East Ras Qattara licence is divided in three areas, totaling 2,994 sq km. The western area mainly extends across the Northern Egypt and Abu Gharadiq basins and comprises 7 fields (among which 5 are operated from distinct production acreages) and 11 dry exploratory wells. The eastern area mainly extends in the Gindi Basin. It includes the Qarun field, five discoveries and about 15 dry exploratory wells. Qarun was discovered in 1994 by Apache and is currently operated from a distinct production acreage by Qarun Petroleum. The last area (central), which also extends in the Gindi Basin only includes 5 dry exploratory wells.
Egypt, Abu Gharadiq (Dev)