BP to fast-track tie-backs as drilling ops with Valaris rig unleash more gas

UK-headquartered energy giant BP has made another gas discovery in the Mediterranean region within the Egyptian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The company used the Valaris DS-12 drillship to spud the El Fayoum-5 well on February 14, 2025, encountering four prospective Messinian gas reservoirs, with a total sand thickness of 50 meters at a measured depth of approximately 2,900 meters.

BP confirmed the completion of drilling operations at the El Fayoum-5 gas discovery well in the North Alexandria offshore concession on March 6. According to the firm, the asset marked the final well in its four-slot drilling campaign in the West Nile Delta (WND).

As a result, plans are underway to tie back the discovery to the company’s operated West Nile Delta gas development. The discovery marks BP’s second consecutive gas discovery in recent months, following the successful El King-2 well in the North King Mariout offshore concession.

William Lin, BP’s EVP of Gas & Low Carbon, commented: “This reinforces BP’s commitment to Egypt and its growing energy needs. With Raven Infills Phase 2 already contributing to production, we’re now fast-tracking the El King and Fayoum discoveries to tie into our West Nile Delta infrastructure.

“The delivery of Raven Infills is fully in line with our priority to grow the upstream and high grade our portfolio across the world.” 

Furthermore, the WND gas development consists of a series of gas condensate fields offshore Egypt, within the North Alexandria and West Mediterranean Deepwater concessions. The Raven field, the final phase of the WND project, has been in production since early 2021.

The project’s initial phase included the development of eight subsea wells, located up to 65 km offshore, at water depths ranging from 550 to 700 meters. BP, as the project operator, holds an 82.75% stake, while Harbour Energy owns the remaining 17.25%.

BP recently formed a new joint venture (JV), known as the BP-XRG JV, with ADNOC to boost its gas portfolio in Egypt. This JV will also play a part in enabling Egypt to drill 586 oil and gas wells by 2030, which is among the country’s investment goals.

Meanwhile, a gas leak was reported at one of the wells of the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) Phase 1 project on February 19, 2025. BP, as the operator, and Mauritania’s Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, carried out “in-depth investigations” to handle the situation and avoid any environmental impact in close collaboration with the Ministry of Petroleum, the Ministry of Fisheries, and the Senegalese authorities.