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File photo: A drilling rig operated by the Saudi company ADES.

Capsizing of Red Sea oil rig delays Egypt's drilling plans

Mahmoud Salem
Published Wednesday, July 2, 2025 - 16:10

Oil exploration in Egypt’s Gulf of Suez was disrupted after a Saudi-owned offshore drilling rig sank off the Red Sea coast following a structural failure, killing four people, a source at the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) told Al Manassa

The Admarine 12 drill, owned by a subsidiary of Saudi firm ADES Holding, capsized as crews attempted to anchor it at an oil concession in the Gebel El-Zeit area. The incident was triggered by a sudden break in the lower section of the rig’s legs, the source said, requesting anonymity.

The rig had been towed from Ras Ghareb to Gabal El-Zeit to begin new drilling operations, then sank shortly after being hoisted from the towing vessel.

Emergency services responded with 27 ambulances, including seven at El Gouna airport, where four injured crew members were airlifted to safety. Another 18 were taken by road to El Gouna Hospital.

Four bodies were recovered and sent to Hurghada General Hospital, according to the health ministry. The Red Sea governorate said searches were ongoing for three missing workers.

The rig was contracted to work in a concession operated by the Egyptian company OSOCO, fully owned by EGPC. OSOCO is currently developing crude oil fields in the Shukeir offshore zone between Ras Shukeir and Ras Dib, north of Gabal El-Zeit.

“The sinking will directly delay drilling and exploration targets for the company,” the source said, adding that OSOCO is also working to expand production and explore new oil fields in the Gulf of Suez in coordination with EGPC, which fully owns the company.

In response, EGPC ordered a comprehensive safety inspection of all rigs and barges operating in the Gulf of Suez and the Red Sea, in coordination with petroleum service firms. A follow-up inspection of rigs in Mediterranean gas concessions is expected to follow.

On the other hand, Suez Canal Authority Chairman Osama Rabie said shipping through the canal remained unaffected as the site of the accident is about 130 nautical miles from the canal’s southern entrance.

In parallel, the petroleum ministry aims to boost natural gas output to between 450 million and 550 million cubic feet per day, targeting six new exploration blocks recently awarded to international partners, according to a previous report by Al Manassa.