In 2011 Statoil completed a deep water exploration well in the El Dabaa licence in the Western Nile delta. The well was dry and the acreage was handed back to the authorities according to the contract.

Prior to drilling the Kiwi well, Statoil shot more than 4,200 km seismic on the El Dabaa and Ras el Hekma licences, which constitute an area of more than 18,000 square kilometers. The company will continue to pursue business opportunities in the country, including exploration, and have an office in the capital Cairo.
 
Egypt is an established oil and gas producer and still holds as lot of hydrocarbon potential. Discoveries in the Eastern part of the Mediterranean lately have increased the oil and gas business’ interest in the region.