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Egypt activates a public investment lever with the new Badr-15 gas well

With the commissioning of the Badr-15 well, Egypt reaffirms its commitment to energy security through public investment in gas exploration, amid declining output from its mature fields.

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The Egyptian government has confirmed the discovery of a new natural gas deposit in the Western Desert through the Badr-15 well, operated by Badr El-Din Petroleum Company (BAPETCO), a joint venture between the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) and Shell. The well produces 16 million cubic feet of natural gas and 750 barrels of condensates per day, with recoverable resources estimated at 15 billion cubic feet (15 BCF).

This announcement comes amid a gradual decline in output from Egypt’s legacy fields. Between July and October 2025, 18 oil and gas discoveries were recorded, 13 of which have already been connected to the national production network. These new units contribute an additional 44 million cubic feet of gas and 14,000 barrels of oil and condensates per day.

Accelerated drilling investment through 2030

Petroleum Minister Karim Badawi stated that a programme to drill 480 new wells is currently underway, with a target completion by 2030. This roadmap, presented at the World Energies Summit in October 2025, is based on public financing aimed at boosting exploration and reinforcing national energy infrastructure.

In parallel, authorities have launched a new round of international tenders for oil and gas exploration in the Red Sea. The initiative, unveiled at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC 2025), aims to attract capital and technology from major foreign companies.

Budgetary response to energy constraints

Egypt is focusing its efforts on deposits that can be rapidly connected to the grid to stabilise its electricity supply, which heavily relies on natural gas. The Badr-15 well reflects this approach, favouring the immediate monetisation of mid-sized resources through existing public infrastructure.

The recent allocation of several offshore exploration blocks to BP, Chevron and Eni complements this strategy and fits within a structured partnership policy. By leveraging public funds to stimulate national upstream gas activity, the Egyptian government is enhancing its capacity to secure domestic energy needs while maintaining a strong regional market presence.

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