KEY POINTS
- Shell and KUFPEC will develop the Mina West gas field in Egypt’s Mediterranean Sea, with estimated reserves of 0.5 tcf.
- The field will be tied into existing infrastructure under West Delta Deep Marine, boosting domestic supply with lower emissions.
- Egypt continues to expand its energy independence through FSRUs and phased gas well developments, positioning itself as a regional gas hub.
Shell, through its affiliate BG International, has announced a final investment decision (FID) to develop the Mina West gas discovery in Egypt’s Mediterranean Sea, signaling a major step forward for the country’s energy ambitions.
The development, undertaken in partnership with KUFPEC (Egypt) Limited and in collaboration with the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS), will strengthen Egypt’s gas supply security while enhancing Shell’s regional footprint.
Discovered in October 2023, the Mina West field is located in the Northeast El Amriya concession and is estimated to contain approximately 0.5 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of natural gas. The development plan involves connecting Mina West as a subsea tie-back to existing infrastructure in the West Delta Deep Marine (WDDM) concession. This infrastructure-led approach is expected to enable faster and more cost-effective production, supporting Egypt’s domestic gas market and contributing to energy resilience across the region.
“Investing in new production at Mina West expands our industry-leading integrated gas business and supports delivery of secure, reliable energy to Egypt’s domestic market in line with our strategy to create more value with less emissions,” said Dalia ElGabry, Vice President and Country Chair of Shell Energy Egypt.
The drilling unit Stena Forth, a mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU), was used in the discovery phase. Shell holds a 60% stake in the development and serves as operator, while KUFPEC owns the remaining 40%. Both companies have long-established track records in oil and gas production across multiple continents.
KUFPEC’s Chief Executive Officer Eisa A. Al-Maraghi commented on the partnership: “KUFPEC has long been a key player in advancing upstream oil and gas projects worldwide. Our partnership with Shell in Egypt reflects our broader commitment to energy cooperation and strategic investments throughout the region.”
The Mina West project is not an isolated initiative. Shell and its joint venture, Burullus, are also progressing with Phase XI of the WDDM development. Two new wells—Sparrow West-1 and Siena DE—were successfully brought online in June and July 2025, contributing over 80 million standard cubic feet (mmscf) per day to Shell’s production plateau. These wells were drilled at water depths ranging from 600 to 880 meters, showcasing Shell’s deepwater capabilities in challenging environments.
According to Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum, the development of a third well in this phase is underway, with completion targeted for September. When fully operational, Phase XI is expected to add up to 130 million cubic feet of gas per day to national output. Marine warranty services for the offshore activity have been provided by Global Maritime, which confirmed the early start-up of production for both existing wells.
Egypt emerge as growing energy hub
Egypt has emerged as a growing energy hub in the Mediterranean, leveraging its strategic location, liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure, and growing network of regional energy partnerships. As part of its broader energy strategy, Egypt is also expanding its floating storage and regasification capacity. Earlier in July, the country prepared to welcome the Energos Winter, a new floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) aimed at ensuring stable gas imports and enhancing grid reliability.
The Mina West project aligns with Egypt’s plan to balance domestic supply with export goals, especially as demand rises from European and Asian markets looking to diversify energy sources post-COVID and amid geopolitical tensions.
Beyond gas production, Shell’s strategy emphasizes decarbonization and efficiency. The company says projects like Mina West are designed to generate fewer emissions per unit of energy delivered, contributing to its global target of becoming a net-zero emissions business by 2050.
The Egyptian government has praised Shell and its partners for their commitment to infrastructure-led development and has encouraged continued collaboration that prioritizes environmental responsibility, local employment, and technological innovation.
The latest developments reaffirm Egypt’s role as a key energy player in the Eastern Mediterranean and underscore the importance of strategic partnerships between international operators and national energy authorities in achieving energy security and economic growth.
