Italian energy major Eni and the Egyptian oil ministry have entered into a cooperative partnership that will lead to increased development of the African country's oil and gas reserves and the training of its workers.

The new framework was set out by Eni chief executive Paul Scaroni and the Egyptian minister of petroleum Amin Sameh Samir Fahmy.

Among the breakthroughs made by the two parties was a new initiative to extend the licence for the Belayim field in the Gulf of Suez, in which Eni has a 100 per cent stake.

The new deal will allow it to maintain its position in the field through to 2030.

For its part, the Italian firm has committed to spending $1.5 billion over a five-year period on investments, ongoing operations and development projects designed to increase the lifespan of Egypt's oil and gas fields.

On its home turf, Eni has recently launched the Bridge to Innovation project, which will provide 50 researchers from the University of Abruzzo to continue their studies into energy and the environment.

Oil and Gas Directory: Training and Development