Egypt’s cabinet on 28 August approved the award of the Northeast Arish Offshore block to Eni and state firm Egas. The block, MEES understands, makes up the northern part of the North El Arish Block, previously held by UAE firm Dana Gas, until Cairo contentiously took it back when it expired in mid-March (MEES, 10 June).

The southern part of North El Arish, which was relinquished as part of Egypt’s contract model that sees firms return portions of their blocks, renamed E6, was snapped up by Eni following a 2021 bid round. It also took Block E5, which adjoins the new acreage to the northwest, in partnership with UK major BP (MEES, 7 January). (CONTINUED - 892 WORDS)