A comprehensive operation will begin Sunday to repair the Egyptian gas line that transports natural gas to Israel, according to sources in North Sinai. Technicians are checking damages, required pieces and the size of the hole caused by the explosion in order to fix the gas line. Experts in Gasco Company will come from Cairo, Port Said and Suez to help repair the damages. However, the company is opposed to repairing damages on the gas line over worries it may face future damage. The explosions cost the company millions of pounds to fix. They are studying ways to secure the gas line before fixing it. The flow of gas has been stopped until the line is repaired. "Gas is being pumped to local facilities and houses in certain suburbs and to the electricity generator steam station in Masaeed," said Gaber Alarabi, general secretary of North Sinai Governorate. In related news, many farmers have sued against damages to their farms caused by the explosion. More than 30 acres of olives, fruits and vegetables were burnt by the explosion, which also damaged irrigation systems. Farmers asked for compensation that may reach to three million EGP (U.S. $500k) rather than burning nomadic houses and animals, which increases Gasco's burden. Tribal sheikhs and officials are angered by the explosions. Some revolutionaries, however, are pleased with the explosions because they oppose exporting Egyptian natural gas to Israel.
