President Sisi ratifies law for oil exploration, exploitation in Western Desert

CAIRO – 2 February 2026: The Official Gazette published on Monday President Abdel Fattah El Sisi's ratification of Law No. 160 of 2025.

The law authorizes the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources to contract with the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) and Apache Khalda Corporation LLC. This authorization allows for the amendment of the concession agreement originally issued under Law No. 157 of 2021.

The agreement covers the exploration, development, and exploitation of oil within the integrated exploration and development area of Egypt’s Western Desert. This ratification underscores the state's ongoing commitment to expanding its energy sector and optimizing resource management in the region.