Egypt announces measures to secure supplies after Israeli gas halt

SadaNews - The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources confirmed that it has implemented a package of proactive steps to secure energy supplies for the local market from natural gas and petroleum products, as part of a government coordination aimed at ensuring the fulfillment of needs and enhancing readiness for any developments, especially amidst rapidly changing geopolitical conditions. This comes at a time when Israel announced a halt to gas exports to Egypt, following the ramifications of the joint Israeli-American strike on Iran. The Egyptian ministry clarified in a statement yesterday, Saturday, that it is closely monitoring the repercussions of the recent military strikes and the resulting halt in gas supplies from the Eastern Mediterranean through the pipelines, emphasizing the existence of diversification in supply sources and ready alternative capacities. It stated that it has worked during the year 2025 to secure additional quantities of liquefied natural gas for extended periods, to meet the needs of electricity, industry, and citizens, through diversifying supply sources alongside local production, contracting for shipments from various sources, and concluding long-term agreements with international companies. It also pointed out the preparation of integrated infrastructure to receive imports of liquefied natural gas and operate regasification vessels, supporting energy security, in addition to supporting exploration and production activities through regular payment of dues to partners. Regarding petroleum products, the ministry confirmed the increase in available quantities and the formation of secure strategic stocks of gasoline, diesel, and butane gas, through raising refining rates, executing regular maintenance programs, optimizing storage capabilities, and forming stocks of imported products to ensure stability in the local market. Halting Israeli gas The spokesman for the Israeli Ministry of Energy stated that Israel has halted gas exports to Egypt, according to Reuters, without providing additional details about the duration of the halt or the affected fields. The Israeli Ministry of Energy did not specify the fields included in the closure; however, Israel manages three offshore platforms in the Eastern Mediterranean, including the Leviathan field and the Karish field, which were previously closed during similar tensions last year, resulting in a cutoff of supplies to Egypt. Reuters quoted three unnamed sources as saying that the Leviathan gas field, managed by Chevron, has been closed, and Energyan company announced in a statement that its production vessel, which services several Israeli fields, has also been shut down. It also reported from two sources that Egypt is no longer receiving natural gas from Israel, which is a key supplier to Cairo. Unofficial estimates indicate that the quantities of gas that have stopped flowing amount to approximately 1.1 billion cubic feet per day from the "Tamar" and "Leviathan" fields located in deep waters in the Mediterranean Sea, according to Anadolu Agency. The Israeli Ministry of Energy directed a temporary closure of parts of the natural gas reservoirs in the country following the attack on Iran yesterday, Saturday. Recently, Egypt contracted to rent five vessels for the regasification of liquefied natural gas to ensure supply security, currently operating at the Ain Sokhna port with a total capacity of nearly two billion cubic feet per day. Egypt aims to reach gas production of 6 billion and 400 million up to 6 billion and 600 million cubic feet per day over the next five years, supported by major investments from international companies, according to Anadolu Agency.