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Eni Launches Start-Up of Meleiha Phase 2 in Egypt's Western Desert

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Key Takeaways

  • Eni launches Meleiha Phase 2 in Egypt, advancing a new natural gas hub in the Western Desert.
  • The new facility can process 100 MMscf of natural gas daily, supporting production growth & domestic supply.
  • Eni's integrated wells and gas pipelines aim to improve efficiency and speed up resource commercialization.

Eni S.p.A. (E - Free Report) has initiated start-up activities for the Meleiha Phase 2 (MP2) project in Egypt's Western Desert through Agiba Petroleum Company, its joint venture with Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation. The project marks a significant step toward developing a new gas hub within the Merged Meleiha concession, strengthening Eni's natural gas infrastructure and supporting its upstream growth prospects in Egypt.

Eni’s Greater Processing Capacity Supports Production

The new facility is designed to process up to 100 million standard cubic feet (MMscf) of natural gas per day. The expanded processing capacity is expected to increase natural gas production from the region, strengthening Egypt's domestic energy supplies. The development is likely to support E’s upstream growth and enhance resource monetization.

Eni’s Integrated Infrastructure Strengthens Economics

The MP2 project encompasses development wells, gathering systems, trunklines and a dedicated gas export pipeline. By connecting production to Egypt's existing gas network, the project aims to accelerate resource monetization and improve operational efficiency. This integrated approach is likely to support the timely commercialization of natural gas resources.

Egypt Remains a Strategic Growth Market for Eni

Eni has operated in Egypt since 1954 and reported approximately 242,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in equity production in 2025. Its operations extend across the Western Desert, Gulf of Suez, Nile Delta and Eastern Mediterranean. The MP2 development strengthens E's longstanding partnership with Egypt and underscores its commitment to the country's energy security.

What Investors Need to Watch

The commencement of MP2 start-up activities represents another step in Eni's efforts to expand its natural gas operations in Egypt. Higher processing capabilities, coupled with improved connectivity to existing infrastructure, are likely to support production growth and operational efficiency. The developments are expected to enhance E's upstream portfolio and boost long-term cash flow generation, strengthening its investment appeal.

E’s Zacks Rank & Other Key Picks

Eni currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Other top-ranked stocks in the oil and energy sector are Equinor ASA (EQNR - Free Report) , Cenovus Energy Inc. (CVE - Free Report) and BP p.l.c. (BP - Free Report) . EQNR, CVE and BP currently sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) each. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Equinor is a Norway-based energy company engaged in the exploration, production and marketing of oil and natural gas, with significant operations on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. The integrated giant’s diversified portfolio, including international upstream assets and renewable energy investments, supports long-term growth opportunities. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for EQNR’s third-quarter 2026 earnings indicates a 273% improvement from the prior-year reported figure.

Cenovus is a Canadian integrated energy company with oil sands, conventional oil and natural gas production assets, alongside refining and upgrading operations. The company’s integrated business model helps optimize crude oil processing, manage commodity price exposure and strengthen cash flow generation. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CVE’s third-quarter 2026 earnings indicates a 132.6% improvement from the prior-year reported figure.

BP is a London-based integrated energy company engaged in oil and natural gas exploration, production, refining, marketing and energy trading. The energy player’s diversified operations and global trading capabilities provide opportunities to optimize its energy portfolio, enhance operational efficiency and support long-term profitability. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BP’s third-quarter 2026 earnings indicates a 21.3% improvement from the prior-year reported figure.

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