BP makes gas discovery with Salamat well offshore Egypt

BP Egypt reported what it was calling a “significant gas discovery” with its deepwater Salamat exploration well in the East Nile Delta. BP said Salamat is the deepest well ever drilled in the Nile Delta. It is the first well in the North Damietta Offshore concession granted in February 2010 and operated by BP.

The well, which reached a total depth of 7,000 m, was drilled in 649 m of water using the sixth-generation Maersk Discoverer semisubmersible rig. The wireline logs, fluid samples, and pressure data confirmed the presence of gas and condensate in 38 m net of Oligocene sands in Salamat, BP said. Further appraisal will be required to better define the field resources and to evaluate the options for developing the discovery.

“Success with Salamat proves hydrocarbons in the center of a 50-km long structure. With a hydrocarbon column in excess of 180 m, the discovery increases our confidence in the materiality of the deep Oligocene play in the East Nile Delta,” said Mike Daly, BP executive vice-president, exploration.

Hesham Mekawi, BP Egypt regional president, said that standalone and tie-back options to the nearby Temsah development are currently being evaluated.

The Salamat discovery lies 75 km north of Damietta city and only 35 km northwest of the Temsah offshore facilities. BP has 100% equity in the discovery.