Italian firm Eni announced on 23 July that output from its South West Meleiha license in Egypt’s Western Desert has started up at a rate of 5,000 b/d, and is expected to rise to 7,000 b/d in September. Last year the firm announced two key discoveries in the concession, located in the Faghur Basin, to the north of the Southeast Siwa block which Eni was awarded in February (MEES, 8 March).

The firm also made “two additional near field oil discoveries in the Meleiha development lease in the Western Desert, specifically on the Basma and Shemy prospects.” These two discoveries have added 6,000 b/d to Meleiha output, the key contributor to Eni’s 55,000 boe/d (mostly oil) Western Desert output. (CONTINUED - 273 WORDS)