Eni SPA has started production from an oil and gas discovery at the West Melehia deep exploration prospect in the Western Desert of Egypt, 300 km west of Alexandria.
The Melehia West Deep 1X, drilled to 4,175 m, cut 20 m of light oil pay in the Lower Cretaceous Alam El Bueib formation. The well also encountered gas and condensate in Upper Jurassic Safa.
Production began at a rate of 2,100 b/d of 40° gravity oil, to be treated at nearby Melehia field.
Drilling of delineation and development wells is planned. Eni estimates production to reach 8,000 b/d by yearend.
The company holds a 76% interest in the Melehia license through a subsidiary, International Egyptian Oil Co. Lukoil holds 24%. The operator is Agiba, equally held by IEOC and Egyptian General Petroleum Corp.
In some communications, Eni has spelled the area name “Meleiha.”