Shell has announced a new hydrocarbon discovery in the North East El-Amriya block (also known as Block 3), located in the Egyptian portion of the Mediterranean Sea.

The discovery came after drilling of the Mina West well, the first of three wells to be drilled by Shell's exploration campaign in the block.

Drilling works were carried out in the offshore Nile Delta, at approximately 250 metres below sea level, and confirmed a gas-bearing reservoir in the area.

Further studies are still necessary for Shell to appraise the potential of the Mina West discovery.