Egypt braces for start of production from Zohr field

CAIRO – 25 November 2017: Production from the first phase of the Mediterranean’s largest gas field Zohr is to start very soon, with a production capacity of 2.7 billion cubic feet per day by the end of 2019, Petroleum Minister Tarek el-Molla said Saturday.

The production is expected to start in December.

Molla’s remarks came during his speech on behalf of President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi in the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) held in Bolivia, which discusses the world’s developments in the gas field.

The minister added that Zohr is one of the biggest gas fields globally, with reserves amounting to 30 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

Egypt is pinning hopes on Zohr field to shift its shortage in natural gas to self-sufficiency.

The country had suffered a sharp lack of natural gas production following the 25 January Revolution of 2011, after which production decreased on the back of Egypt’s accumulated debts to foreign oil companies.

The Zohr field, along with the North Alexandria and Nooros fields are among the most important projects that will increase natural gas production and will contribute to Egypt’s natural gas self-sufficiency plan by the end of 2018, Molla said in July.

Egypt is in talks with its liquefied natural gas (LNG) suppliers to defer contracted shipments this year, and aims to cut back on purchases in 2018, as surging domestic gas production will help curb demand for costly foreign imports.