Cyprus gas could fuel Egypt’s LNG comeback - CYPRUS MAIL

Friday 28 August | 14:53

Souzana Psara

Egypt’s gas sector is running short of domestic supplies just as Cyprus prepares to become a producer, with the recently approved Kronos project offering benefits to both countries and Europe, according to an OilPrice report.

Natalia Katona said that the project offers a three-way bargain, with up to 2.8 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) a year expected from 2028. Cyprus gains an export route it cannot economically build alone, Egypt secures feedstock for infrastructure increasingly constrained by falling domestic production, and Europe gains another non-Russian source. However, the report cautions that technical, commercial and geopolitical risks could still derail the emerging corridor.

Egypt’s need for new gas sources is becoming urgent. Natural gas production fell 7 per cent year on year to 109.3m cubic metres a day in the second quarter of 2026, extending a decline that began after national output peaked in 2021. The deterioration remains concentrated in the offshore Mediterranean, while stronger production in the onshore Western Desert has been insufficient to reverse the trend.

San Donato Milanese (Milan), 28 July 2026 - Eni has reached the Final Investment Decision (FID) to develop Cronos project, in deep waters offshore Cyprus, with the target to bring the first Cypriot gas to market in 2028.

The project, operated by Eni, will bring to production the gas volumes from Cronos field, in Block 6, which holds more than 3 Tcf of gas initially in place (GIIP). Production is expected to reach a plateau of 500 mmscf/d; gas will be transported and processed in existing Zohr facilities, in Egypt, then transferred and liquefied in Damietta LNG plant for export as LNG to international markets, primarily Europe.

Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi commented: “Cronos fast-track initiative marks a concrete milestone in positioning Cyprus as a European gas producer and exporter and it unlocks the establishment of a regional gas hub in the Eastern Mediterranean by leveraging Egypt’s existing hydrocarbon infrastructure. It is furthermore an example of international cooperation and a concrete contribution to the diversification and security of Europe’s gas supply”.

‘Goal is to sell first Cyprus gas in 2028’ - CYPRUS MAIL

Tuesday 19 May
Tom Cleaver

Cabinet on Tuesday approved the development and production plan for the Kronos gas field, which is located in Block 6 of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), with President Nikos Christodoulides stressing the importance of the plan’s approval ahead of the day’s cabinet meeting.

“Let me remind you that the first discovery in the Republic of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone was in 2011, and 15 years later, we are taking, I believe, the most important decision regarding the state of natural gas exploitation,” he said.

He added that in addition to the development and production plan, cabinet would also approve “the agreements concerning the basic terms of sale of Cypriot natural gas”.

“This is a very important development for the utilisation of our country’s energy resources. The goal is to sell the first Cypriot natural gas to Europe through Egypt in 2028 and we are approving all the relevant agreements,” he said.

Cypriot Cronos Natural Gas Field to be Connected to Egypt by 2027 - EGYP OIL & GAS

Sunday, 27th July 2025
Sarah Samir

Karim Badawi, the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, met with George Papanastasiou, Cypriot Minister of Energy, Commerce, and Industry, in Nicosia. Senior representatives from Eni and TotalEnergies also attended the meeting. The discussion focused on the progress of Cyprus’s Cronos natural gas field, which is scheduled to be linked to Egypt’s energy infrastructure by 2027.

Within the framework of the Steering Committee overseeing the development of Cyprus’s Cronos natural gas field, Egypt and Cyprus reiterated their commitment to the project’s agreed timelines. The committee further reviewed the status of the technical and implementation agreements, now in their final stages of preparation for a definitive investment decision expected this year.

Badawi stressed Egypt’s readiness to complete the project and establish a new regional energy corridor. He emphasized that this would enhance regional cooperation and benefit both countries. He also stressed Egypt’s commitment to removing any obstacles the project may encounter.

TotalEnergies and ENI sign an agreement with Cyprus and Egypt for the export of Cyprus Block 6 gas through Egypt - TOTALENERGIES

02/17/2025

Paris/Cairo, February 17, 2025 – In the presence of President of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and President of Cyprus Níkos Christodoulídis, TotalEnergies and ENI, partners in Cyprus offshore Block 6 (TotalEnergies 50%, ENI 50% operator), have signed today a Host Government Agreement (HGA) with the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Republic of Cyprus related to the development of Block 6 gas resources.

Signed during the Egypt Energy Show (EGYPES) with the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Karim Badawi, and the Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Cyprus, George Papanastasiou, this agreement is a key milestone towards the development of the Cronos gas field. Located in Cyprus Block 6, Cronos field was discovered in 2022 and successfully appraised in February 2024.

The agreement provides a framework allowing the Cronos gas to be processed in the existing Zohr facilities offshore Egypt and then liquefied in the Damietta LNG plant in Egypt, for export to European markets.

Following the signature of this agreement, the Block 6 partners will now proceed with the Cronos Development and Production Plan, in close collaboration with Cyprus authorities.

"Electra" and "Pegasus" Shape Cyprus’s Energy Future - FAST FORWARD

08 Jan 2025

ExxonMobil has completed all necessary preparations to begin exploratory drilling at the "Electra" target within Block 5 of Cyprus’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Drilling is expected to commence within the next two weeks, marking one of the most significant initiatives by ExxonMobil and Qatar Energy in the region. The company also plans to explore the "Pegasus" target, leveraging seismic data to identify potential reserves and contribute to Europe's energy solutions amid challenges stemming from the war in Ukraine.

Mediterranean Energy in Focus

As Brief reports, ExxonMobil’s plans align with the broader shift in global energy strategies, as the European Union seeks to secure its energy future. Investors are closely monitoring developments in the Mediterranean, a region that promises energy security alongside economic benefits.

Egypt: Gas discovery spurs drilling in the Mediterranean, Nile Delta - ESI AFRICA

August 30, 2023

Yunus Kemp

Egypt plans to drill 45 natural exploratory gas wells in the Mediterranean and the Nile Delta with $1.9 billion in investments until mid-2025.

This follows the discovery, announced in January, in the Nargis Offshore Area Concession which added reserves of 2.5 trillion cubic feet. The discovery is located in the Eastern Mediterranean off the Egyptian coast.

The Narges 1 well was drilled to a depth of 309 metres and has an estimated volume of reserves amounting to 2.5 trillion cubic feet of gas, the Egyptian government said.

“This has contributed to the interest of a number of international companies to develop the field and work on more explorations the government said.

The discovery of the new gas field comes at a time when Egypt is seeking to increase its gas reserves and exports for which demand has grown worldwide.

Aphrodite getting closer - CYPRUS MAIL

August 6, 20233

Dr Charles Ellinas

Even though the final results of the successful appraisal drilling of the Aphrodite gasfield earlier this year have not yet been formally announced, development of Aphrodite appears to be getting seriously closer. Al least that was the implication of what Mike Wirth, CEO Chevron, said to analysts end of last week.

Speaking during Chevron’s second-quarter 2023 results webcast, he confirmed “Our Aphrodite appraisal well in Cyprus met our expectations.” He went on to say “We’re pleased with the outcome…We have submitted our development plan to the government for their approval and it involves a capital efficient way to take the gas to market via subsea tiebacks to existing infrastructure,” adding that “this is all pending government approval and if we get that, we could be into front end engineering and design later this year.”

For the first time since 2013, when plans to develop Aphrodite for LNG exports were missed, this is serious talk, this time coming straight from Chevron’s CEO and not from politicians.

Egypt expects Zohr field’s investments to hit $15bln in 3 years - ZAWYA

July 25, 2023

Zohr, the largest natural gas field in the Mediterranean, is anticipated to attract investments totaling $15 billion over the next three years, the Egyptian Cabinet’s media center announced on July 24th.

Current investments into the giant offshore natural gas field are estimated at $12 billion so far.

The media center also denied viral news claiming that Zohr was experiencing technical issues.

It added that production from 19 wells at Zohr have already started, with the 20th well in the field currently being constructed with $70 million in investments.

The average production from the field is about 2.3 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd).

Italian company Eni had discovered Zohr in 2015 and started producing in late 2017. The field is estimated to have around 30 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

Aphrodite gasfield has certainly resurfaced - CYPRUS MAIL

George Papanastasiou, Cyprus' Energy Minister

June 12, 2023
Dr Charles Ellinas

Despite challenges, the latest plans for the development of Aphrodite are more serious and realistic

Aphrodite is back in the limelight. On May 31 NewMed submitted an updated development plan to Cyprus’ government, on behalf of the field joint venture (JV) that includes Chevron as the operator and partner Shell. This is based on transporting the gas to Shell’s West Delta Deep Marine (WDDM) existing processing and production facilities offshore Egypt, from where it will be transported to the mainland eventually for domestic consumption or for export as LNG. First gas is expected by 2028.

This goes against George Papanastasiou’s, the energy minister, wishes for the Aphrodite partners to prioritise supply of gas to the island. In April he said that he didn’t think that gas from the Aphrodite gasfield should end up in Egypt’s liquefaction terminals.

“Our approach around the use of natural gas as a transition fuel is being reviewed and we are including the natural gas found in the East Med, and more specifically Cyprus’ EEZ, in the mix for use in the domestic market,” he said.

Egyptian Plan to Supply Europe's LNG Gets Boost as Plant Reopens - BLOOMBERG

February 17, 2021, 1:10 PM GMT+2
Salma El Wardany and Anna Shiryaevskaya

• Trader expected to load shipment at Damietta terminal Feb. 21
• Cargo is first since 2012 for Egypt’s second LNG facility

Egypt is close to restarting its second liquefied natural gas plant after an eight-year hiatus, as the North African nation seeks to become one of Europe’s main suppliers of the fuel.

Vitol Group, the world’s largest independent oil trader, is expected to load a cargo at the Damietta port in northern Egypt, according to people with direct knowledge of the situation. It will be the first shipment from the facility since 2012.

Egypt to Reopen LNG Plant In Push to Be Major European Supplier - BLOOMBERG

January 27, 2021, 11:34 AM GMT+2
Salma El Wardany

• LNG capacity will be 12.5 million tons a year, says minister
• Nation looking to become a major supplier of LNG to Europe

Egypt is set to boost exports of liquefied natural gas by restarting one of its two production plants.

The Damietta facility, which has been idled for eight years, will reopen by the end of February, Oil Minister Tarek El-Molla said in an interview Wednesday with Dubai-based consultancy Gulf Intelligence. It will process about 4.5 million tons of LNG a year and raise the nation’s capacity to 12.5 million tons, he said.

The return of Damietta and the country’s other plant -- Idku, whose exports have picked up after dropping last year amid the coronavirus pandemic -- will mark a revival of Egypt’s LNG push.

While the Arab nation is a relative minnow -- accounting for about 1% of global LNG supplies in 2019 -- it will become one of the top 10 exporters if it reaches full capacity, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Breakdown in Naturgy, Eni and EGPC Damietta dispute resolution - ENTERPRISE

Sunday, 26 April 2020

DISPUTE WATCH- The resolution of a long-simmering dispute over a shuttered Damietta LNG plant has fallen apart despite an agreement reached last month, according to a cabinet statement. Parties to the dispute include Spanish gas firm Naturgy Energy Group, Italy’s Eni, and the Egyptian government.

Why does this matter? First, the dispute was closely followed by investors in Egypt’s energy sector, though that concern was largely swept away as the Sisi administration reached a settlement with all parties. More importantly, the Damietta plant is a key part of Egypt’s strategy to grow its natural gas exports as it emerges as the Eastern Mediterranean’s premier energy hub. The plant has been closed since 2012, when supply of gas was shut off amid disruptions in the wake of the political events of the previous year. Its reopening would have expanded Egypt’s ability to export natural gas to European markets.

Saipem Wins Egypt Plant Contract - RIGZONE

Monday, April 20, 2020

Matthew V. Veazey

Egyptian Ethylene & Derivatives Co. (Ethydco) has selected a consortium of Saipem and Egypt-based Petrojet to build that country’s first polybutadiene plant, Saipem reported Friday.

According to a written statement Saipem emailed to Rigzone, the estimated US$150 million contract for the 36,000-metric ton per year (MT/Y) synthetic rubber plant calls on Saipem and Petrojet to provide:

The fifteenth Zohr well is expected to go online in March - ENTERPRISE

Tuesday, 25 February 2020

Italy’s Eni will begin commercial operations on the Zohr natural gas field’s 15th well next month, Oil Minister Tarek El Molla said, according to the local press. 

The new well will put the field on track to reaching maximum production capacity this year. 

Production at the Zohr field inched up to 2.7 bcf/d last November with the connection of four wells in the field’s southern region.

Eni finishes gas production test of Zohr field’s last well - DAILY NEWS EGYPT

Sunday December 22, 2019
Mohamed Adel

The Italian company Eni has completed the production test of the 14th and last well in the Zohr gas field in the deep waters of the Mediterranean, bringing the total production capacity of the field to about 3.2bn cubic feet per day (scf/day).

A source in the petroleum sector told Daily News Egypt that the current production capacity of the field is about 3bn scf/day, and will increase to 3.2bn after completing the implementation of the gas pipeline linking the field to the national grid in April.

He said that production has been reduced from the rest of the wells until the 14th well is tested, which has a production rate of 150-250m scf/day because the local market currently does not need any additional quantities of natural gas.

Zohr continues to rise for Egypt - ENERGY VOICE

Tarek El-Molla visiting Zohr's onshore facilities 

16/DEC/2019, 9:09 am

Egypt’s Zohr field is producing at around 3 billion cubic feet (85 million cubic metres) per day, the country’s Ministry of Petroleum has said.

The production rate was disclosed during a visit to onshore facilities linked to the asset by Egyptian Minister of Petroleum Tarek El Molla, leading a parliamentary delegation. The statement from the ministry noted that Zohr, and other fields in the Mediterranean, had allowed Egypt to become once more self sufficient and return to exports.

El Molla had drawn attention to various stresses on the sector, including steadily increasing domestic demand and the need to develop infrastructure. Success had been driven by the ministry’s strategy, he continued, which had focused on drawing in more investment to the sector to bolster new reserves, while also supporting the development of discovered fields and domestic consumption in the use of gas, rather than oil products.

Egypt’s petroleum consumption declines 8mln tonnes in four years - ZAWYA

13 DECEMBER, 2019

Cairo – Egypt’s domestic petroleum consumption has declined in four years, as a result of the implementation of reforms to the pricing structure of petroleum products, according to petroleum minister Tarek El Molla.

Domestic consumption was 31 million tonnes during the year 2018/2019, compared with 39 million tonnes in the year 2015/2016, El Molla said in a Thursday statement.

This came as a result of the state’s reform programme, which reduced petroleum imports to 12 million tonnes, from 16 million tonnes.

Over the past years, challenges lied mainly in the steady growth of domestic demand, higher value of subsidies, and the need to ramp infrastructure development spending.

The minister’s remarks came during a visit to Zohr field, accompanied by a parliamentary delegation, including energy and environment committee members and executives of petroleum companies.

HELPE indicates possible existence of large gas field - KATHIMERINI

THURSDAY OCTOBER 31, 2019 12:48

Chryssa Liaggou

Seismic research conducted by Hellenic Petroleum (HELPE), the country’s biggest oil refiner, has indicated the possibility of the existence of a large reserve of natural gas in Greece, similar to Egypt’s gigantic Zohr gas field in the Eastern Mediterranean.

In a presentation on Wednesday, Yiannis Grigoriou, HELPE’s general manager for exploration and production of hydrocarbons, said that seismic depictions of the Zohr field bear similarities to an area that HELPE is exploring.

He did not reveal which region of the ones HELPE is exploring he was referring to [TEKMOR Note: SW Crete / local sources].

If these indications are confirmed by drilling activities, then the potential quantities may be 280 billion cubic meters, which would be able to cover Greece’s needs for 70 years.

Zohr natgas output to surpass 3 bcf/d this month - ENTERPRISE

Wednesday, 16 October 2019

Zohr natgas production to exceed 3 bcf/d this month: Production from the 13 wells at the giant Zohr natural gas field is expected to surpass 3 bcf/d by the end of October, up from 2.7 bcf/d in August, Eni IEOC JV boss Luca De Caro said on the sidelines of the Mediterranean Offshore Conference in Alexandria, the Oil Ministry said in a statement. Eni originally estimated that production would peak at 2.7 bcf/d, but the ministry said earlier this year that output would rise above 3 bcf/d in 2019.

More wells on the horizon: Eni plans to drill 11 exploration wells in the Nile Delta, Western Desert and the Gulf of Suez regions this year and nine other wells in the coming year, De Caro said. Eni has also been producing 1.2 bcf/d of natural gas from its Nooros gas field since the end of 2017 when the two phases of the project were completed. High profile representatives from BP, Wintershall DEA, Shell and Edison also attended the conference, which kicked off yesterday.