Eni, the prominent Italian energy giant, is set to resume drilling operations at its Zohr gas field, one of the largest gas discoveries in the Mediterranean, with the arrival of a Saipem drillship. The Saipem 10,000 drillship arrived in Egyptian waters on January 28, 2025, marking a significant step forward in the continued development of the Zohr field. This drillship is expected to begin drilling two deepwater development wells in the Zohr field, which is situated approximately 200 kilometers north of Port Said in the Shorouk area. The drilling activities are part of Eni’s plan to further enhance gas production and unlock the full potential of the field, which has already played a critical role in Egypt’s energy landscape.

The decision to resume drilling follows an announcement by Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Karim Badawi, who confirmed the resumption of Zohr field development and the commencement of two new development wells in January 2025. According to Badawi, the aim is to increase the field’s gas production to 220 million cubic feet per day, significantly boosting Egypt’s energy supply. The new wells will play a pivotal role in sustaining and enhancing production levels, which will, in turn, help meet domestic energy needs and contribute to the region’s energy security.

Eni has been actively advancing its projects in Egypt since the discovery of the Zohr field in 2015, a gas field that has since become one of the most significant natural gas reserves in the Mediterranean. After bringing the field online in 2017, Eni ramped up production quickly, reaching 2 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) in 2018. By 2019, the field’s output increased to 2.7 bcfd, which significantly surpassed initial expectations. At the time, Eni had hoped to reach a production target of 3.2 bcfd by the end of that year, and the field continues to hold great promise for Egypt’s energy sector.

Eni categorizes Zohr as a supergiant field, with estimated reserves of 480 million barrels of oil equivalent (mmboe). This makes it not only a major contributor to Egypt’s energy mix but also a highly valuable asset for Eni and its partners. The field’s natural gas resources are considered the largest ever discovered in the Mediterranean, underscoring the strategic importance of the project. Zohr’s development is crucial for Eni’s ongoing efforts to meet the growing demand for natural gas in the region while reducing Egypt’s dependence on imported energy.

Beyond Zohr, Eni has been active in other parts of Africa, further solidifying its position as a key player in the global energy sector. In late December 2024, Eni also initiated production from Baleine Phase 2 in Côte d’Ivoire, marking a significant milestone in the development of the Baleine oil and gas field, which is one of the country’s two largest discoveries. These efforts are part of Eni’s broader strategy to maximize production from its existing assets while pursuing new opportunities for growth, both in Africa and globally.

With the resumption of drilling at Zohr and its ongoing projects in other regions, Eni continues to focus on maintaining its role as a global energy leader, committed to meeting the energy demands of today while contributing to the ongoing transition toward a more sustainable and secure energy future.