Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum said on Wednesday that extractions from Zohr gas field, set to start within days, will enable Egypt to achieve self-sufficiency in the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) before the end of 2018.
The state-run newspaper al-Ahram reported on Wednesday that al-Molla’s statements came during a meeting held by the Egyptian cabinet where he noted that the production of Zohr gas field will also end import operations of gas.
Zohr gas field was discovered by Eni, an Italian multinational oil and gas company, in August 2015, using the drillship Saipem 10000, which is still operating in the area. Eni was granted the development lease in early 2016.
Due to the remarkable declining output and power shortages in gas production that emerged beside political turmoil in Egypt, the country turned to importing LNG after being an exporter until 2014.
Zohr is considered the largest natural gas field in the Mediterranean and is projected to produce 350 million cubic feet per day by the end of the year with the completion of the project’s first phase.
According to media statements released from the Minister of Petroleum, Zohr gas field productions with the first phase of the project are set to be completed by mid-2018.
