BP scores with first deepwater well in concession offshore Egypt

Sept. 11, 2013
BP Egypt has discovered gas in the Salamat structure in the East Nile Delta offshore Egypt.

Offshore staff

CAIRO, Egypt – BP Egypt has discovered gas in the Salamat structure in the East Nile Delta offshore Egypt.

The semisubmersibleMaersk Discoverer drilled the well, the first in the North Damietta offshore concession awarded outright to BP in February 2010. The water depth of 649 m (2,129 ft) was deepest to date in the Nile Delta region, the company claims.

Total drilling depth was close to 7,000 m (22,966 ft). Wireline logs, fluid samples, and pressure data confirmed gas and condensate in 38 m (124 ft) net of Oligocene sands. Further appraisal will be needed to define the resources and evaluate development options.

Mike Daly, executive vice president of exploration at BP, said: “Success with Salamat proves hydrocarbons in the center of a 50-km [31-m] long structure. With a hydrocarbon column in excess of 180 m [591 ft], the discovery increases our confidence in the materiality of the deep Oligocene play in the East Nile Delta.”

Hesham Mekawi, BP Egypt regional president, said: “Standalone and tieback to the nearby Temsah infrastructure development options are currently being evaluated.”

The well was drilled around 75 km (46.6 mi) north of Damietta city and 35 km (21.7 mi) northwest of the Temsah offshore facilities.

9/11/2013