Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egypt’s imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States fell significantly in May after maintenance work at major American export facilities disrupted shipments, highlighting the country’s growing dependence on imported gas as domestic energy demand continues to rise.
According to Reuters, Egypt imported approximately 300,000 metric tons of U.S. LNG during May, roughly half its typical monthly volume of around 600,000 metric tons. The decline was linked primarily to scheduled maintenance at several key U.S. export terminals, which temporarily reduced available cargoes for international buyers.
The drop comes at a sensitive time for Egypt, which has increasingly relied on LNG imports to bridge the gap between domestic natural gas production and rapidly growing consumption, particularly as summer temperatures drive up electricity demand.
Maintenance activity also weighed on overall American LNG exports. U.S. shipments fell to 10.2 million metric tons in May, one of the lowest monthly levels recorded this year. Industry operators carried out seasonal maintenance work that had been postponed earlier in the year when strong global demand encouraged exporters to keep facilities operating at maximum capacity.
While the reduction affected multiple international customers, Egypt has emerged as one of the countries most closely watching supply availability because of its increasing need for imported gas. In recent years, Cairo has shifted from being a significant LNG exporter to becoming a major importer as domestic demand growth outpaced production gains.
Despite the temporary decline in May shipments, the United States remains Egypt’s largest LNG supplier and one of its most important energy partners. American energy companies continue to play a major role in Egypt’s petroleum and natural gas sector, with U.S. investments in the country’s energy industry reaching approximately $3.3 billion during the current fiscal year.
The strategic importance of the energy relationship was underscored in April when the Export-Import Bank of the United States approved more than $2 billion in export credit insurance to support future LNG sales to Egypt. The financing package is expected to facilitate gas deliveries during 2026 and 2027 under agreements involving the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) and U.S.-based commodities trader Hartree Partners.
The program reflects growing cooperation between Cairo and Washington in the energy sector as Egypt seeks long-term supply arrangements capable of supporting domestic demand and reducing exposure to market disruptions.
Recent data suggest that Egypt’s dependence on imported gas has continued to increase. Figures published by the Joint Organisations Data Initiative (JODI) showed natural gas imports averaging nearly 2.35 billion cubic feet per day during the first quarter of 2026, representing a 36 percent increase compared with the same period a year earlier.
Although official figures for April and May have not yet been released, market participants say import volumes have likely remained elevated as the government moves to secure additional cargoes ahead of peak summer consumption.
Those purchases are taking place in a challenging international market. Energy traders have reported higher LNG prices in recent months as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and disruptions to global shipping routes have added uncertainty to supply chains. The conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel has also increased concerns about energy security and transportation through key maritime corridors.
For Egypt, the combination of rising domestic demand, increasing import requirements and elevated global prices presents a significant challenge. The government has sought to secure sufficient fuel supplies to avoid electricity shortages during the summer while balancing the growing financial cost of importing energy.
The May decline in U.S. LNG deliveries appears to be temporary and largely related to maintenance schedules rather than a change in trade policy or market demand. Nevertheless, the episode illustrates how dependent energy-importing countries have become on the smooth operation of global LNG infrastructure at a time when demand remains strong and geopolitical risks continue to influence energy markets.
