Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly met this evening at the Cabinet headquarters in the New Administrative Capital with Mr. John Ardill, Vice President of ExxonMobil Corporation for Exploration, to review the status of several of the company’s concession areas in Egypt. The meeting was attended by Eng. Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources; Eng. Amr Abou Eita, Chairman and Managing Director of ExxonMobil Egypt; and several company officials.

At the outset of the meeting, the Prime Minister affirmed that ExxonMobil is a strategic partner to Egypt in the energy sector, expressing appreciation for the company’s ongoing activities in the Egyptian oil and gas market. He noted that the meeting aims to discuss the progress of key concession areas, particularly in the Mediterranean Sea, and to explore future cooperation opportunities between the Egyptian government and the global energy major.

Dr. Madbouly told the company representatives: “I am confident in the continued fruitful partnership with ExxonMobil — a valued and trusted partner.” He added that he maintains regular communication with the Minister of Petroleum regarding the company’s activities and current project developments in Egypt.

Mr. John Ardill, ExxonMobil Vice President for Exploration, presented the work program and status of two of the company's offshore natural gas concessions in the Mediterranean — the "Cairo" and "Masry" blocks. He highlighted the advanced technologies to be deployed in upcoming drilling operations and noted that drilling efforts are being accelerated following the completion of seismic surveys as part of the exploration phase.

Ardill emphasized that ExxonMobil is making significant progress toward initiating drilling operations in both concession areas. He also reviewed the current conditions related to deepwater drilling, stating: “We are looking forward to making further discoveries in the Egyptian market.”

Eng. Karim Badawi showcased the promising investment opportunities in Egypt’s oil and gas sector, particularly in exploration and production. He reaffirmed that ExxonMobil is one of Egypt’s most important foreign partners in the petroleum and gas industry.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the government’s full readiness to provide all necessary support and incentives to ExxonMobil to expedite drilling operations in the “Cairo” and “Masry” blocks. He stressed that President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi places high importance on natural gas exploration projects and has instructed that all procedures related to these projects be facilitated.

Dr. Madbouly also requested that ExxonMobil submit a detailed work plan with a clear timeline for commencing production from the two concession areas.