Egypt's daily production of natural gas has increased to 4.05bn cubic feet during this week for the first time since the beginning of the year, compared to 4bn cubic feet of gas last week. It came after adding 110m cubic feet produced daily by Italian Eni's gas fields in the Nile Delta. A source in Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) said the company added about 70m cubic feet of gas to the daily production from Nooros field, located in Abu Madi concession, as well as 40m cubic feet per day from East Baltim 12 in Nile Delta. He added that the wells that have been linked to the national gas network have compensated for the decline in monthly gas production and added a slight surplus. The source pointed out that Egypt solved the large decline in natural gas by linking new wells to the natural network as the companies have reduced the development processes of their fields in concession areas since 2013. Egypt's production of natural gas decreases annually by 1.2bn cubic feet, while the total production from compensatory wells is 700m cubic feet per year. The monthly decline of the Egyptian gas fields' production is estimated at 100m cubic feet. He noted that EGAS also imports gas through two gasification ships through the port of Ain Sokhna and the Jordan gas pipeline estimated at 1.2bn cubic feet and 100m cubic feet, respectively. The imported amounts of gas aim to meet the growing needs of the local market. The source said that the Ministry of Electricity estimated its maximum gas needs during the summer at 3.9bn cubic feet per day and minimum 3.3bn. He stated that EGAS has allowed the private sector to import and sell gas for the domestic market to reduce pressure on the government. The cabinet has submitted a law regulating the natural gas market to the House of Representatives to grant licences to those who want to import or trade gas in the local market. Source: Daily News Egypt
