Cairo, Egypt — In response to increasing domestic electricity needs, Egypt plans to raise its natural gas imports from Israel by 20% starting in October. This will bring imports to 1.2 billion cubic feet per day (cfpd), following an 18% rise in September from previous levels.
The two countries have agreed to further increase gas flows by 50% to 1.6 billion cfpd by the end of next year, contingent on the completion of a new gas link. A 46-kilometer pipeline, expected to be finished by May 2025, will connect Ashdod and Ashkelon in Israel to Arish in Egypt.
Israel has been ramping up gas output from its Leviathan field and is also boosting production at the Tamar field to meet Egypt’s surging demand. The potential development of the Katlan project may further enhance export capabilities.
Egypt, the 11th-largest natural gas producer globally, has recently shifted to being a net buyer of natural gas after significant declines in production from its Zohr field, which was once responsible for 40% of the country’s gas output. Currently, Zohr produces less than 20 billion cubic meters, prompting Cairo to purchase over 50 liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes this year to mitigate energy shortages.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced plans to restore Egypt’s natural gas production to normal levels by June 2025, although this goal may be threatened by outstanding debts to foreign oil and gas firms. The ongoing gas shortages have resulted in extended power blackouts across the country.
