BP says makes ‘significant’ Egypt gas discovery

British energy giant BP on Monday said it had discovered a “significant” amount of gas in the East Nile Delta after drilling the deepest ever well in the region.

“BP Egypt today announced a significant gas discovery in the East Nile Delta. The deep water exploration well, named Salamat, is the deepest well ever drilled in the Nile Delta,” the company said in a statement.

BP Egypt Regional President Hesham Mekawi added: “The Salamat discovery is a great outcome for our first well in this core exploration program in the East Nile Delta. It shows our commitment to meeting Egypt’s energy needs by exploring the deep potential offshore the Nile Delta.”

Salamat was found about 75 kilometers (47 miles) north of Damietta city and 35 kilometers to the north-west of the Temsah offshore facilities, said BP, which has full ownership of the discovery.