Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — Egypt’s Western Desert has become a prime location for
energy reserves.

The U.S. firm Apache Corp. has reported seven crude oil and natural gas
discoveries in the Western Desert over the last three months.

Apache, based in Houston, Texas, said four of the discoveries were in the Faghur basin with the rest in Shushan, Matruh and Abu Gharadig.

“All seven discoveries have been tested and Riviera SW-1X is already producing,” Apache vice president, Egypt, Thomas Maher, said.

“Our exploration and development program in Egypt continues apace, with an average of 27 drilling rigs operating during the second quarter.”

Riviera SW-1X was reported to be producing a restricted rate of 2,000 barrels of oil per day. Executives said the well, which cost $5 million to complete, would be monitored for gas production, which in the test stage
reached 2.8 million cubic feet per day.

  Abu Gharadig, Apache Corp., Faghur basin, Matruh, Shushan, U.S. firms reports series of energy finds in Egypt’s Western Desert, U.S. firms reports several oil