ExxonMobil and Zarubezhneft have each announced the award of two new exploration licences, while three block awards have been made in Egypt’s Red Sea licensing round. The US supermajor will explore the North Marakia Offshore Block in the Herodotus Basin north of Alexandria, and the North East El Amriya Offshore Block in the Nile Delta, which was previously licensed to Germany’s DEA. In a 30 December statement, ExxonMobil said it would operate both blocks with a 100% interest.