Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egypt’s domestic natural gas production has risen for the first time in three years, marking a turning point for a sector that has faced years of challenges, according to Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Karim Badawi.
Speaking on Thursday at the 27th Ministerial Meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) in Doha, Badawi said that the increase, recorded in August, reflects the success of a new national energy strategy that focuses on reforms, investment incentives, and operational efficiency. “The sector is once again delivering positive results thanks to measures that restored investor confidence and improved performance across the board,” he said, according to a ministry statement.
The minister noted that preliminary data for the third quarter of 2025 showed gas production rising to around 4.2 billion cubic feet per day the first quarterly increase since 2022. The recovery is supported by Egypt’s flagship Zohr field, which currently supplies about 23% of the country’s total gas output.
Egypt is implementing an ambitious five-year exploration plan aimed at drilling 480 wells with total investments of $5.7 billion. The initiative seeks to strengthen domestic supply, reduce import dependence, and position the country as a key energy hub linking Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.
“Major international energy companies including Eni, Shell, BP, and TotalEnergies have already announced new investment programs for exploration and development in Egypt over the next five years,” Badawi added.
The minister also highlighted Egypt’s progress in expanding its liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure. New floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) have been added at the Ain Sokhna and Damietta terminals to enhance flexibility and capacity, supporting the country’s goal of becoming a regional hub for gas trade and transit.
In his remarks at the GECF meeting which was chaired by Libya and attended by Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad bin Sherida Al-Kaabi, along with ministers and representatives from member and observer countries Badawi reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to responsible and sustainable energy development.
He voiced Egypt’s support for the forum’s initiatives on environmentally responsible production, technological cooperation, and equitable access to energy among member states. Badawi also expressed appreciation to Qatar for its hospitality and to Libya for its effective leadership of the meeting.
The rise in gas production signals a potential turnaround for Egypt’s energy sector, which has faced declining output in recent years amid high domestic demand and fluctuating global markets. With renewed investment and exploration, officials hope to secure long-term energy stability and reinforce Egypt’s role as a cornerstone of the region’s natural gas landscape.
