Tarek El Molla, Egypt's Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, held significant discussions with Linda Cook, the Chief Executive Officer of the British energy company Harbour Energy, on March 12, 2025. This meeting took place during the global energy conference, CeraWeek 2025, held in Houston, Texas. The core aim of this encounter was to explore ways to bolster joint cooperation between the two entities, particularly focusing on increasing natural gas production from Harbour Energy's concession areas in Egypt.
During the discussions, El Molla emphasized the importance of expediting development operations related to new discoveries and underscored the need to connect these discoveries to existing facilities swiftly. This approach is intended to reduce production costs and minimize the time necessary to bring new gas wells online. The minister's dedication to supporting local gas production was evident as he stressed achieving optimal utilization of the nation's natural gas resources.
The duo also delved deep, discussing the latest developments concerning the successful drilling activities recently conducted in the Mediterranean Sea, situated north of Alexandria. Harbour Energy, as part of its partnership with British Petroleum (BP), is aiming to intensify these exploration efforts. El Molla remarked on the strategic importance of these developments as they could significantly benefit from Egypt's gas production capacity.
Noteworthy during the meeting was the presentation of the progress made at the Raven field, another Mediterranean project under development which is collaboratively financed with BP. Both Cook and El Molla recognized the potential for enhancing the output from this sector, which stands as another pivotal step for future gas production.
El Molla also highlighted the Egyptian government’s intention to encourage Harbour Energy to amplify its investments within the country. Aligning with the strategic objectives outlined by the Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, the collaboration aims to sustain economic growth through more rigorous exploration initiatives.
"The Egyptian government's commitment to providing all means of support to investors," El Molla noted, conveying strong governmental backing for international collaborations. He emphasized the goal to create a conducive environment for investment, replete with supportive measures intended to ease operational processes. This, he stated, is pivotal for increasing gas production and maximising the benefits derived from oil and gas resources.
This engagement aligns with Egypt's broader strategy to transform its natural gas sector significantly and to maintain its competitive edge as a producer and regional energy hub. With the global energy market continually shifting, the focus on strategic partnerships like the one with Harbour Energy is more important than ever.
Critically, the dialogue reinforced the shared commitment of both Harbour Energy and the Egyptian government to sustainable and balanced growth, offering mutual benefits and promoting advancements in the energy sector. This approach not only focuses on increasing production but also aims to nurture international relations and bolster local economic development.
Moving forward, the engagement with Harbour Energy signals Egypt’s proactive approach to enhancing its oil and gas production capabilities and showcasing the nation’s commitment to sustaining fruitful partnerships. The expected increase of investments and the strategic operational enhancements discussed during this meeting are anticipated to play a pivotal role in the future of Egypt’s energy policies and production capabilities.