WASCO Accelerates Drilling to Boost Egypt’s Natural Gas Output

El Wastani Petroleum Company (WASCO) is stepping up efforts to increase natural gas production from its existing fields by improving well performance, reassessing reservoirs and accelerating drilling and development activities. The company aims to maximize output from current assets while bringing new discoveries into production at a faster pace.

Sally Salah El-Din, Chairwoman and Managing Director of WASCO, outlined the company’s production strategy during a field visit by Sayed Selim, Executive Managing Director of the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS). During the visit, Selim reviewed WASCO’s current production levels, drilling programs, exploration activities and plans for further field development, according to Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (MoPMR).

The visit followed directives from Egyptian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi to strengthen monitoring of production and operational activities at the field level. The government is seeking closer oversight of upstream operations as it works to raise domestic natural gas availability and reduce supply pressures.

WASCO, a joint venture between UAE-based Dana Gas and EGAS, presented the results of its recent drilling campaigns and highlighted additional opportunities across its concession areas. Discussions focused on rapidly commercializing new discoveries, converting available reserves into marketable production and improving utilization of existing infrastructure and gas-processing facilities.

Salah El-Din said the company plans to enhance productivity from existing wells while using updated geological and geophysical data to reassess formations and reservoirs. These studies are expected to help identify areas where additional drilling or development could unlock higher gas recovery.

Selim called for stronger coordination among all stakeholders and faster execution of exploration, drilling and development programs. He also emphasized the need to address operational challenges directly at the field level to avoid delays and maintain production momentum.

The initiative forms part of Egypt’s broader efforts to increase domestic natural gas production. Higher output from existing fields and new discoveries could help improve local gas availability for power generation, industrial operations and other consumers.

In December, WASCO was reported to have drilled four natural gas wells in Egypt’s Nile Delta under an 11-well development program. The wells are intended to contribute to higher national gas production as additional drilling progresses.

Product Impact and Chemical Commodity Price Impact

The immediate impact is expected to be positive for natural gas availability in Egypt, as higher production from existing fields and new wells could strengthen domestic supply and reduce reliance on imported gas. Increased local availability may moderate gas prices and improve feedstock security for gas-intensive industries. For chemical commodities tracked by ChemAnalyst, greater natural gas supply could reduce production costs for methanol, ammonia, urea and other gas-based petrochemicals, potentially limiting upward price pressure in Egypt and nearby markets. However, the price impact will depend on the volume and timing of incremental production, domestic demand, import requirements, and global gas and feedstock market conditions.