Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi accompanied by Aswan Governor Amr Lashin inspected drilling operations at the Al Baraka oil field in Kom Ombo operated by the South Valley Egyptian Petroleum Holding Company (GANOPE) in the presence of senior ministry officials, GANOPE Chairman Samir Raslan, Mediterra Energy Corp.
President Mimit Kount, and MP Ahmed el-Qamhouri. The Ministry of Petroleum said the visit is part of efforts to revive petroleum investments in Upper Egypt, resume drilling and production in promising areas, boost output, attract fresh investment, and support economic development in the region.
Badawi reviewed the resumption of drilling and well maintenance activities at the field, which had been suspended since 2022, following new investments by Canada's Mediterra Energy Corp. and the arrival of the first drilling rig to rehabilitate several wells and restore them to production.
He said Upper Egypt is a key pillar of the ministry's strategy to expand exploration and production activities, noting that the ongoing seismic survey covering around 100,000 square kilometers will provide updated data to identify and promote new investment opportunities.
Badawi reaffirmed the ministry's full support for Mediterra Energy Corp.'s expansion in the region, saying the company's renewed investments followed the settlement of foreign partners' dues, which helped restore confidence in Egypt's petroleum investment climate.
He added that the ministry is supporting the company's expansion into additional concession areas, describing its success in Upper Egypt as a positive signal for attracting more international investors. For his part, GANOPE Chairman Samir Raslan said drilling resumed last month under a program to maintain seven wells, drill two new wells, and study the drilling of five additional wells in cooperation with the Egypt Upstream Gateway (EUG).
During the tour, Badawi inspected rehabilitation work at Al Baraka-20 well, reviewed progress in the drilling program, and stressed the importance of adhering to occupational safety standards while accelerating drilling and maintenance activities to maximize production.
List of government, foreign universities and institutes accredited in Egypt The Inauguration of the State Strategic Command Headquarters “The Octagon” in the New Capital Cabinet approves EIB-funded power grid expansion, UAE wind energy agreements List of government, foreign universities and institutes accredited in Egypt The Inauguration of the State Strategic Command Headquarters “The Octagon” in the New Capital