Chevron has started drilling a new natural gas well in Egypt’s Narges field together with Eni, Mubadala and Tharwa Petroleum Company.

The drilling campaign is part of efforts to increase Egypt’s domestic gas production while also supporting Chevron’s regional growth plans.

Karim Badawi, Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, visited the Stena Forth drillship as drilling operations began. The drillship recently arrived in Egypt for the campaign.

Chevron operates the Narges field in partnership with Eni, Mubadala and Tharwa Petroleum Company.

Badawi said the well forms part of the ministry’s strategy to encourage international energy companies to speed up development of undeveloped gas discoveries.

Egypt is seeking to increase domestic natural gas supplies and reduce import costs, making projects such as Narges a priority for the country’s energy sector.

The minister also commended Chevron and Eni for their cooperation with the Egyptian petroleum sector and the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) in advancing drilling activities.

The drilling campaign also supports Chevron’s broader regional strategy. In March, Clay Neff, President of Exploration Operations at Chevron, said the company planned to drill two new gas wells in Egypt during 2026.

The program includes one well at Narges and another in the Western Mediterranean in partnership with Shell.

Speaking during EGYPES 2026, Neff said Egypt and the Eastern Mediterranean remain important parts of Chevron’s investment plans. He added that the company aims to raise operational production capacity in the region by up to 50% over the next five years.