Egypt, in partnership with the U.S.-based energy firm, Apache Corporation, recently announced the discovery of natural gas in its Western Desert.

This information was made public by the North African country's Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources. The ministry revealed that the gas reserve has an expected output of approximately 26 million cubic feet of gas per day, and an estimated 2,700 barrels of condensate.

The newly discovered field is located within a recently granted concession near Apache's present operations, which is expected to boost economic viability and reduce development costs by utilizing current production facilities and infrastructure.

As seen in the Daily News Egypt, the discovery was made subsequent to the drilling of the SKAL-1X exploratory well in the South Kalabsha region. It is part of Egypt's larger initiatives to enhance domestic gas production and lower import prices, which are backed by incentives meant to draw more capital to exploration and production.

Officials have indicated that this discovery serves as evidence of the efficacy of the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources' recent policy framework. These strategic measures have incentivized Apache Corporation to increase its capital expenditure and broaden its exploration activities, particularly within areas adjacent to its existing concessions.

Egypt, over the last year, has been very aggressive with its gas initiatives. In February, a report showed that Egypt was preparing to roll out its largest-ever Mediterranean gas drilling campaign in 2026. A month prior, the North African country and Qatar signed an agreement to increase the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and strengthen energy cooperation.

In the same month, Karim Badawi, the Egyptian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, engaged in a discussion with Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Germany's Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy, to initiate bilateral agreements in the natural gas, renewable energy, and technology transfer sectors.

In August last year, Israel and Egypt entered into a landmark natural gas agreement valued at an estimated $35 billion, marking one of the largest energy deals in the Eastern Mediterranean. Per the deal, Egypt is set to receive gas from the Leviathan field, which is located offshore in the Mediterranean and has reserves of almost 600 billion cubic metres. The historic agreement covers the delivery of about 130 billion cubic metres of natural gas through 2040, or until the stipulated amounts are fully delivered.