EGAS waits for approvals to invite Med exploration bids

Egypt intends to offer 10-11 western Mediterranean blocks in a new licensing round, but the timing of the tender remains uncertain Egypt intends to offer 10-11 western Mediterranean blocks in a new licensing round, but the timing of the tender remains uncertain.

By Verity Ratcliffe 19 April 2018 0 30507

The Maersk Discoverer drilling offshore Egypt. (©BP plc)

Egypt plans to tender concessions in the Mediterranean in a bid to extend the exploration taking place in the country’s eastern acreage to the underexplored west. It wants to launch the round by the end of the year, but the timing will remain uncertain until Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Co. (EGAS) receives permitting approvals from other government authorities for all of the blocks.

The blocks on offer will be concentrated in the western part of Egypt’s Mediterranean acreage, an area that has received