UK-based upstream firm Rockhopper Exploration has announced it is set to kick off a wide-ranging drilling campaign in Egypt.

Rockhopper said it decided to undertake an active drilling programme in 2019, which included the drilling of one exploration well, two development wells and a water injection well in Egypt.

The London Stock Exchange-listed firm intends to continue targeting the offshore Al-Jahraa field, as well as further exploring the Abu Sennan concession, located southeast of Egypt’s Western Desert.

It said drilling is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2019 with capital expenditure, net to Rockhopper's 22 per cent interest, of approximately $4m.

Current production from the Abu Sennan concession is approximately 3,800 barrels of oil equivalent a day (boe/d) in total, with Rockhopper’s average output from its share in the concession being at 840 boe/d in 2018.

The company announced that its Al Jahraa-10 well reached total depth on 16 October 2018 in the Abu Roash-F formation. Oil pay was calculated in the Abu Roash-C and Abu Roash-D levels.

Following testing operations, the well was brought into production from Abu Roash-C at a rate of 130 barrels of oil a day (b/d) gross, and subject to further increase.

Upside potential exists in Abu Roash-D which is being evaluated for possible acid stimulation, Rockhopper said.

Separately, exploration well ASZ-1X, located on Prospect S, was spudded on 8 November 2018 and was the first of two commitment wells to be drilled in the first phase of the new concession.

An oil discovery was made in the Abu Roash-C level, the firm said, with preparations under way to test and produce.

The operator revealed it has applied to Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) for a development lease over the discovery.