09/21/95
REPSOL: NEW GAS DISCOVERY IN EGYPT
 

Repsol Exploraci�n has discovered a new gas field in the Khalda Concession in the Western Desert of Egypt. Repsol is the operating company, with a 50% stake, and Phoenix and Samsung Co. Ltd. have 40% and 10%, respectively.

The discovery well, Salam South IX, is 2.5 km. to the south of the Salam oil field, was drilled to a depth of 3,083 metres and encountered hydrocarbon bearing Alam El Bueib sandstone of Cretacian Age.

During production testing, 45 million cubic feet (1.3 million cubic metres) of gas and 2,700 barrels of concentrate were produced per day. The field will start production in 1997/1998, together with other gas fields previously discovered in Repsol's concessions in the Western Desert.

Repsol is the third largest oil company in Egypt, with a net production of 30,000 barrels per day, from the Khalda, Umbarka, South Umbarka, Gulf of Suez East and Gulf of Suez West concessions. It began its activities in Egypt back in 1972, with an exploration and production contract on the Umbarka field in the Western Desert. Since then, Repsol has considerably increased its interests in that country through a policy of continuous acquisitions, buying oil-producing assets and stakes in exploration licences.