Egypt Daily News – Egyptian Petroleum Minister Karim Badawi announced that Egypt has brought in four ships to support the import of natural gas and inject it into the local market, as part of efforts to boost supply in preparation for the summer and ensure stable energy production.
Badawi added that work teams are continuing to prepare ports and marine docks to receive and operate the ships, in parallel with contracting the necessary gas quantities and coordinating supplies with the Ministry of Electricity, to ensure the gas reaches the most efficient power plants, according to a statement issued today by the Ministry of Petroleum.
Egypt, which was previously an exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG), has become an importer due to increasing demand driven by rapid population growth and rising temperatures, along with a decline in domestic field production — particularly from the Zohr field. The field’s current average output is about 1.5 billion cubic feet per day, significantly lower than its 2019 peak of approximately 3.2 billion cubic feet per day.
According to shipping data, Egypt’s LNG exports have declined steadily since peaking at 7.7 million tons annually in 2022. Meanwhile, Egypt imported around 2.5 million tons last year.
Plans to Increase Production and Revive LNG Momentum
Egypt is currently working to halt the natural decline in production over the next two months, aiming to stabilize and gradually increase output, the minister stated.
Badawi also said the country is close to announcing the results of a bid round offering several investment opportunities for oil and gas exploration and production. Additionally, a seismic survey has been launched in the South Valley area to put it on the petroleum investment map and market its opportunities effectively.
As part of Egypt’s efforts to revive its LNG sector and capitalize on its liquefaction infrastructure, the country hopes to receive Cypriot gas from the Cronos field by 2027. This gas will be liquefied in Egypt and then exported.
Italian company Eni is developing the field, which is expected to send its output via pipelines to Egypt for export, according to the statement.
