A long-running wildcat drilled by Eni offshore Egypt has turned out to be a disappointment, according to well-placed sources. The Thuraya-1 probe took almost five months to drill and was targeting a potential 11 trillion cubic foot reef structure close to Egypt’s maritime boundaries with Palestine and Israel. Eni moved fast to drill a wildcat targeting the prospect on the North East El Arish Offshore block after securing the acreage last year. Drillship Saipem 10000 spudded the Thuraya-1 exploration well on 23 November in a water depth of about 953 metres, and is thought to have been drilled to an unusually deep depth of more than 6000 metres aiming for a Cretaceous objective.

Source: The North Africa Journal April 20, 2023 06:21 UTC