Italian energy company Eni has begun oil production from its West Meleiha concession in the Western Desert at a rate of 5k bbl/d, it said in a statement. Production is expected to reach 7k bbl/d by September 2019. West Meleiha is 50%-owned by Eni’s IEOC and 50% by state-owned Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC).

Eni also announced the discovery of natural gas in the new El Qar’a onshore exploration lease. The El Qar’a-NE1 well delivered 17 mn scf/d of natural gas and associated condensates during the cleanup, Eni said. The well will be linked to Petrobel’s Abu Madi gas facility. Eni, through its subsidiary IEOC, holds a 37.5% interest in El Qar’a exploration lease, while BP has a 12.5% interest and EGPC a 50% interest.

The company also made an oil discovery at the IEOC/EGPC Abu Rudeis development lease in the Gulf of Suez, which could hold up to 200 mn bbl of oil in place. The well has been completed and brought on stream through production facilities available in the area. Petrobel has a plan to develop the new discovery with about 10 wells that will be drilled in the near future.