Egypt has announced a large-scale seismic survey project in the Eastern Mediterranean, marking a major step in its strategy to strengthen domestic gas output and attract international investment.
The Ocean Bottom Node (OBN) seismic survey will span up to 95,000 square kilometers, using cutting-edge global technologies to generate high-resolution subsurface data. According to Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Karim Badawi, the initiative will provide vital insights for future exploration campaigns.
“By providing high-resolution data, this survey will significantly reduce exploration risks and create more attractive opportunities for international companies to expand operations in Egypt,” Badawi said during the GASTECH Conference and Exhibition in Milan.
The project will be implemented in three phases over seven years, beginning in 2026 with a first stage covering 18,000 square kilometers at a cost of $117 million. The contract was awarded by the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) to a consortium led by SLB and Viridien, following an international bid.
Officials highlight that the survey will play a pivotal role in supporting exploratory and production drilling, ultimately boosting Egypt’s domestic gas supplies. This aligns with Cairo’s broader goal of consolidating its status as a regional energy hub.
The announcement came at GASTECH 2025, a major global energy event hosting 50,000 participants, including ministers from the United States, Italy, Turkey, Iraq, and Cyprus, alongside senior EU and IEA officials and CEOs of top global energy firms.
With growing demand for natural gas and new exploration frontiers opening in the Eastern Mediterranean, Egypt’s seismic survey project positions the country to unlock additional reserves and enhance its role in global energy security.
