Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi met with officials from British energy company BP to discuss the company’s future plans in Egypt, including drilling and exploration programs, production development and investment plans for the coming period.

The BP delegation included Gordon Birrell, Executive Vice President for Production and Operations; Nader Zaki, Regional President for the Middle East and North Africa; and Wael Shahin, President of BP Egypt.

Company officials reviewed BP’s drilling program, which began in April 2026 and includes four committed wells with total investments of $700 million.

They highlighted the successful start-up of the first well, Fayoum 4, which has been brought online and connected to Egypt’s national natural gas grid.

The well is producing around 80 million cubic feet of gas per day after production began approximately two years ahead of schedule, supporting efforts to increase domestic natural gas output and strengthen local supplies.

BP officials said the drilling rig has already moved to the next location to begin drilling the Gharab exploration well. This will be followed by two consecutive deepwater exploration wells for Arcius Energy.

BP holds a 51% stake in Arcius Energy, while XRG owns the remaining 49%.

The meeting also addressed BP’s global strategic priorities and future direction, as well as its plans in Egypt, with both sides emphasizing the importance of maintaining drilling, exploration and production development programs across the company’s concession areas in line with established timelines.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources reiterated its commitment to sustaining exploration and production activities and maintaining coordination with industry partners to ensure the implementation of planned work programs, supporting higher oil and gas production and the development of Egypt’s natural resources.

The ministry also emphasized its commitment to transparency, governance and discipline in managing natural resources, while working to provide an attractive and stable investment environment based on clear and consistent regulations.

It added that these efforts would proceed alongside safeguarding the Egyptian state’s rights and maximizing the economic returns from the country’s natural resources.