EGPC & Petrobel Begin Production at Zohr 6 Gas Field

The Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) and Petrobel have begun natural gas production from the Zohr 6 field in the Mediterranean Sea, with initial output estimated between 40 and 50 million cubic feet per day starting in June. The new production comes as part of a broader strategy to increase domestic gas supply and reduce reliance on imports, particularly for electricity generation and industrial consumption.

The Zohr 6 field was prepared for operation following the arrival of a drilling vessel in January and the completion of key water leakage mitigation procedures, including chemical injection and well isolation measures designed to ensure production stability.

Zohr remains central to Egypt’s long-term energy strategy. Since the start of its development with Italian energy giant Eni, the field has attracted total investments of approximately USD 39 billion, with USD 13.5 billion specifically allocated to field development. Current production from the Zohr field ranges between 1.1 and 1.2 billion cubic feet per day, accounting for around 30% of Egypt’s total natural gas output.

The launch of Zohr 6 aligns with ongoing offshore exploration and drilling activity in the Mediterranean. Between July 2024 and May 2025, eight new wells were drilled and another eight evaluated across various offshore blocks. Five new gas discoveries were made during the current fiscal year, which are expected to feed into Egypt’s medium-term energy planning.

However, declining output from mature fields has prompted Egypt to import around 1.6 billion cubic feet of gas per day through LNG shipments and regional pipelines, currently meeting 25 to 30% of the country’s overall gas demand. The new output from Zohr 6 is part of efforts to reduce that reliance and stabilise domestic energy availability.