BP makes gas find with Ruby-3 well off Egypt

BP PLC is analyzing data from its Ruby-3 (Ji 50-2) exploration well in the West Nile Delta to determine the size of its gas discovery.

Feb. 4, 2009

Uchenna Izundu
OGJ International Editor

LONDON, Feb. 4 -- BP PLC is analyzing data from its Ruby-3 (Ji 50-2) exploration well in the West Nile Delta to determine the size of its gas discovery.

The well reached 1,957 m TD, hitting gas-bearing sandstones in the Pliocene section in one segment of the Maadi prospect that extends into other concessions. Ruby is in 920 m of water on the West Mediterranean Deep Water concession and is 66 km off Egypt.

"With gas proven in the Ruby-3 well, chances increase that more gas may be discovered in the other, so far undrilled segments of Maadi," said Hans-Hermann Andreae, general manager of RWE Dea Egypt, a partner in the project. "However, prior to further appraisal of Maadi we will focus on development of several of the other gas fields discovered in the West Nile Delta area. These fields have been discovered earlier and some of them were successfully appraised in 2008."

Ruby-3 was the last of six exploration and appraisal wells drilled by BP and RWE Dea within the West Nile Delta in 2008.

BP operates the concession with an 80% stake; partner RWE Dea AG holds the remainder.

Contact Uchenna Izundu at [email protected].