Cairo: Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi, accompanied by Aswan Governor Amr Lashin, inspected drilling operations at the Al Baraka oil field in Kom Ombo. The field is operated by the South Valley Egyptian Petroleum Holding Company (GANOPE), and the inspection was attended by senior ministry officials, GANOPE Chairman Samir Raslan, Mediterra Energy Corp. President Mimit Kount, and MP Ahmed el-Qamhouri.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the visit is part of efforts to revive petroleum investments in Upper Egypt. The ministry aims to resume drilling and production in promising areas, boost output, attract fresh investment, and support economic development in the region. Badawi reviewed the resumption of drilling and well maintenance activities at the field, which had been suspended since 2022. This followed new investments by Canada's Mediterra Energy Corp. and the arrival of the first drilling rig to rehabilitate several wells and restore them to production.
Badawi emphasized that Upper Egypt is a key pillar of the ministry's strategy to expand exploration and production activities. He noted that the ongoing seismic survey covering around 100,000 square kilometers will provide updated data to identify and promote new investment opportunities. Badawi also reaffirmed the ministry's full support for Mediterra Energy Corp.'s expansion in the region. He said the company's renewed investments followed the settlement of foreign partners' dues, which helped restore confidence in Egypt's petroleum investment climate. The ministry is supporting the company's expansion into additional concession areas, viewing its success in Upper Egypt as a positive signal for attracting more international investors.
GANOPE Chairman Samir Raslan highlighted that drilling resumed last month under a program to maintain seven wells, drill two new wells, and study the drilling of five additional wells in cooperation with the Egypt Upstream Gateway (EUG). During the tour, Badawi inspected rehabilitation work at Al Baraka-20 well, reviewed progress in the drilling program, and stressed the importance of adhering to occupational safety standards while accelerating drilling and maintenance activities to maximize production.