Friday, 09 October 2026
Egypt, UAE’s Arqius energy agree to fast-track offshore gas development
Egyptian Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Karim Badawi held talks with Nasser Saif Al-Yafai, CEO of UAE-based Arqius Energy, to accelerate gas field development and boost production in Egypt, the ministry said.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF) roundtable meeting in the Greek capital, Athens.
Talks centered on advancing the development of the Harmattan gas field and expediting its production timeline to meet growing domestic energy demand.
The two sides also reviewed deepwater exploration projects managed by Arqius Energy in Egypt, including preparations to drill the "Atoll West" well in the North Damietta concession, alongside exploration updates at the North Tabya area and plans for the "Nofret" well.
Badawi reiterated the ministry’s commitment to facilitating the UAE firm's expansion in Egypt by resolving operational hurdles and speeding up drilling schedules to enhance national output.
For his part, Al-Yafai stated that Arqius Energy aims to scale up its production footprint in Egypt between 2027 and 2030, describing the country as a cornerstone of the company’s regional operations and a key hub for East Mediterranean energy trade.
He praised ongoing coordination with state energy bodies, including the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC), the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS), and state contractors Enppi and Petrojet.