Monday, 25 May 2026
Egypt announces new oil discovery in Western Desert
Egypt’s petroleum sector has taken a significant step toward increasing domestic energy output, following the announcement of a new oil discovery in the Western Desert by Agiba Petroleum Company – a joint venture between the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) and Italy’s Eni.
The newly discovered Arcadia West field, located in the Agiba concession, was added to Egypt’s production map immediately after discovery, yielding an initial output of 2,500 barrels of oil equivalent per day. According to the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, this achievement is part of the ministry’s broader strategy to increase local production and reduce reliance on energy imports.
Drilling at the Arcadia-28 well revealed a high-quality reservoir in the geological “Masajid Formation,”, opening up prospects for further similar finds in the area. Notably, this formation was previously considered a non-productive barrier, but recent results have proven its potential under suitable geological conditions.
This milestone follows the recent discovery of the Iris field, which continues to produce approximately 7,500 barrels of oil equivalent daily, underlining the region’s significant hydrocarbon prospects.
The swift connection of Arcadia West to existing production infrastructure was credited to Agiba’s dynamic development approach and close collaboration with partners, leveraging modern data and advanced seismic imaging.
The Ministry emphasized that this successful discovery not only demonstrates Egypt’s potential in the Western Desert but also aligns with the country's broader ambition to expand production near existing fields. It also highlights Agiba’s innovative strategies in exploration and reservoir understanding, with the prospects for similar promising discoveries in company-operated areas.
Supported by cutting-edge 3D seismic surveys, the discovery reaffirms the importance of integrating the latest geoscientific technologies with operational expertise. Plans are already underway for further drilling at Arcadia West, expanding exploration horizons in the Masajid geological formation.