The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources has categorically denied reports published by 'Attqa' energy news website, which claimed that Eni oil and gas company of Italy had withdrawn its 7th-generation Santorini drillship from Zohr, the giant oil field in Egypt's offshore.

The drillship has been operating in the North East Hapy Offshore in the Mediterranean. Now that it completed its work, the drillship sailed out of the area, according to a statement by Ministry Spokesman Hamdy Abdel Aziz.

As for Zohr drilling program, Abdel Aziz explained that another drillship will be used for that purpose, as per the drilling program agreed between the ministry and the Italian oil giant.