Egypt’s government has approved five oil and gas drilling and exploration agreements with foreign companies ahead of parliament’s final approval, Petroleum Minister Tarek El Molla said Aug. 10.

Four of the deals are gas exploration and drilling agreements between Egypt’s state gas board EGAS and BP, Eni, Total and Edison.

The fifth deal, which is an oil and gas exploration and drilling deal, is between state petroleum board EGPC and a local company.