Saturday 22 Feb
Dr. Moustafa Madbouly, the Prime Minister, visited the Zohr natural gas field site north of Port Said to inspect the Zohr drilling rig "Saipem 10000". He was accompanied by Engineer Karim Badawy, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, and was received by Mr. Francesco Gasbari, General Manager of Eni, and Ms. Martina Ubitsi, Head of North Africa and the Middle East region for Eni.
Dr. Madbouly received a briefing from a drilling company official on the high-specifications of the Zohr drilling rig "Saipem 10000." The official highlighted the rig's deep-water capabilities, chosen specifically to enhance drilling effectiveness. The briefing also covered the rig's substantial load capacity, which allows for the accommodation of necessary equipment and facilitates drilling operations. Furthermore, the official explained the rig's powerful electrical system, its ability to function in diverse climates, and its advanced technology for managing varying well pressure during drilling.
Eni's General Manager, Francesco Gasbari, delivered a
presentation on the company's operations in Egypt, including a detailed
overview of Saipem and the capabilities of the Zohr drilling rig "Saipem
10000." He highlighted Eni's significant Zohr field discovery in 2015 and
the company's activities at other sites.
Gasbari outlined Eni's exploration licenses, their current
operations, and the 2024 gas production volumes, noting their contribution to
the local electricity grid. He emphasized the company's reliance on Egyptian
personnel, providing over 21,000 jobs through direct employment, contractors,
and specialized service companies. He also discussed Eni's engagement with
local suppliers and service providers, and the total number of wells drilled in
Egypt.
Gasbari also discussed Eni's commitment to sustainability,
highlighting various projects in health, education, and agriculture, as well as
efforts to minimize carbon emissions. He expressed Eni's desire to continue
collaborating with the Egyptian government and outlined the company's plans to
increase drilling and exploration activities in Egypt. He commended the
Egyptian government's efforts to develop the petroleum sector and expressed
gratitude for their commitment to fulfilling financial obligations to foreign
partners.
For his part, Dr. Moustafa Madbouly affirmed full support for Eni and other international companies engaged in drilling and exploration activities. He emphasized the Egyptian government's commitment to paying foreign partners' dues, facilitating increased production to benefit all stakeholders. He expressed his gratitude to Eni officials and all employees involved in their Egyptian projects for their efforts during this period.
