An estimated 4 Tcf of additional natural gas resources has been discovered offshore Egypt in what is becoming one of the most prolific resource areas of the world.

Operator Eni SpA and BP plc on Wednesday said a gas-heavy strike was made in the Nidoco NW-1 well in the Abu Madi West Development Lease. The discovery in the Nile Delta is in the so-called Great Nooros Area of the Eastern Mediterranean, aka the Eastern Med. 

“Preliminary evaluation of the well results, considering the extension of the reservoir toward north and the dynamic behavior of the field, together with the recent discoveries performed in the area, indicates that the Great Nooros Area gas in place can be estimated in excess of 4 Tcf,” Eni said.

The Nidoco well is about three miles from the coast and 2.5...