Egypt signs six new oil and gas exploration deals

Egypt has signed six new oil and gas exploration contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars with foreign and Egyptian companies, the oil ministry said on Friday. The agreements provide for the drilling of some 41 discovery wells in the western desert and Gulf of Suez, the ministry said in a statement via the official news agency.

Among the major companies selected are Shell, ENI , BP and Canada's TransGlobe Energy. Egypt has been struggling with soaring energy bills caused by the high subsidies it provides on fuel for its population of 87 million. The subsidies have turned the country from a net energy exporter into a net importer over the last few years.