Egypt’s President, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, has called for the improvement of the country’s petroleum sector as Italian company Eni announced a new light oil discovery in the Egyptian Western Desert.
Sisi met on Monday with Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly and several cabinet ministers, urging them to adopt a plan on the improvement of the petroleum sector.
He stressed the importance of improving the skills of workers in the field and providing them with an environment that encourages innovation.
He also said that specialized companies abroad should help train workers in the field in hopes of turning Egypt into a regional trade center for oil and gas.
His instructions included creating the necessary environment to attract investments in exploration.
The presidential spokesman, Ambassador Bassam Rady, said that improving the oil sector contributrs to the government's comprehensive development plan.
Eni said Monday that the discovered well is located in the South West Meleiha license, 130 km away from the Suwa oasis. This is the second well drilled by Eni.
However, the company did not specify the reserves in the new well, which lies seven kilometers away from the first discovery.
The statement also revealed that Eni has entered the production phase, with 5,130 barrels of oil per day.
