Egypt’s gas production at 5.7 billion cubic feet per day, says petroleum ministry official

Egypt’s gas production is currently at 5.7 billion cubic feet per day, the state news agency MENA quoted the petroleum ministry spokesperson as saying on Monday.

The spokesperson also said that it was agreed that 21 liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargos are to arrive in Egypt during the summer, in addition to shipments of mazut fuel.

The first gas shipment arrived on Monday, and it is currently being discharged for supply into the national gas grid, the ministry spokesperson said.

“With the third week of July…the national gas grid’s supply will be sufficient,” he added.

Egypt fully awarded 20 cargoes of LNG in June, its biggest purchase of seaborne fuel, to cover heavy summer demand from July through September.

Supplies of the natural gas that helps Egypt generate electricity have been dwindling at a time when an expanding population and urban development have been pushing up electricity demand. When temperatures rise, air conditioning use drives up power consumption.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly underscored the urgency of the situation, stating that Egypt needs to import around $1.18bn worth of natural gas and mazut fuel oil to end persistent power cuts exacerbated by consecutive heatwaves.

Read: Egypt’s Abu Qir Fertilizers turns to hydrogen amid gas shortage