Italian oil and gas group Eni has signed an agreement to operate a new exploration block in the western desert of Egypt, strengthening its position in the country.

Eni, the biggest foreign major in Africa in terms of volumes, has been present in Egypt since 1954 with an equity production of about 210,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.

The new South-West Melehia block is operated by Eni through its subsidiary IEOC which fully owns the acreage. - Reuters