Egypt is looking to expand its partnership with SLB to deploy advanced exploration, drilling and digital technologies aimed at increasing oil and natural gas production and attracting new investment into the country’s petroleum sector.
The initiative was discussed during talks between Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Karim Badawi, and SLB Chief Executive Officer Olivier Le Peuch on the sidelines of the 2026 World Petroleum Congress in Riyadh, according to Egypt’s petroleum ministry. The discussions covered technology deployment, digital transformation, exploration and production, with both sides examining opportunities to expand cooperation and increase the participation of local companies in SLB’s service delivery and manufacturing activities.
Badawi said broader access to advanced oilfield technologies would help Egypt reduce exploration uncertainty, improve output from existing fields and enhance operational efficiency. He also underscored the importance of transferring technical expertise to Egyptian professionals and strengthening domestic capabilities in the petroleum industry.
A major item on the agenda was an ongoing ocean-bottom node (OBN) seismic survey in the eastern Mediterranean. The project is being implemented by Egypt’s petroleum sector in partnership with the SLB-Viridien consortium. The two sides reviewed the progress of seismic data collection and processing, the schedule for releasing preliminary findings and plans to publish the information through the Egypt Upstream Gateway (EUG). The data platform is intended to help exploration companies access geological information when evaluating potential investment opportunities.
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Seismic surveys
Seismic surveys are an important tool in identifying underground geological structures that may contain oil and gas. Better subsurface data can help companies assess prospects more accurately before committing capital to exploration drilling. The meeting also revisited discussions held during the Egypt Energy Show (EGYPES 2026) on expanding the use of horizontal drilling. The technique allows wells to extend through targeted formations, potentially improving access to hydrocarbon resources and increasing recovery where geological conditions are suitable.
Artificial intelligence was another priority, with the two sides discussing its application in reservoir management and production optimization alongside the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) and the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS). AI-based systems can help operators analyze field data, monitor performance and identify opportunities to improve production.
The talks come as Egypt seeks to strengthen the performance of its oil and gas sector through technology, exploration and investment. Expanding the use of digital tools could help operators manage existing assets more efficiently while supporting the assessment of new hydrocarbon prospects. SLB is also broadening its digital technology business beyond traditional oilfield services. On July 24, the company reported second-quarter 2026 revenue of $8.97 billion, up 5% year on year.
On October 8, SLB announced a 15-year agreement with TotalEnergies to provide its DrillPlan well planning and engineering solutions. The agreement will support the French energy company’s adoption of a digital planning environment integrating subsurface data with well engineering. The World Petroleum Congress opened in Riyadh as part of Riyadh Energy Week, bringing together industry leaders and specialists to discuss technology, investment and the future of the global energy sector.
