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(FILES) This photograph taken on April 22, 2015 shows a part of a gas installation at a gas-pumping station on the gas pipeline in the small town Boyarka in the Kiev region. Russian gas is not scheduled to flow via Ukraine to Europe on January 1, data from Ukraine's gas pipeline operator showed on December 31, 2024, as a key transit deal between Moscow and Kyiv neared its end. (Photo by GENYA SAVILOV / AFP).
Egypt stands at a critical juncture to re-establish itself as a robust and sustainable natural gas exporter. Success will depend on swift action across several fronts.
First and foremost, settling outstanding debts with international oil companies is crucial to rebuilding investor confidence and unlocking vital foreign investment needed to boost production. Simultaneously, Egypt must continue to intensify exploration activities and maximize output from both new and existing gas fields, particularly in the Mediterranean region.
Secondly, upgrading and expanding the nation's Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) export facilities and pipeline networks is essential to efficiently meet the growing global demand for natural gas.
Equally important is sustaining the momentum of policy reforms - streamlining bureaucracy, improving transparency, and ensuring regulatory stability - to create a more attractive environment for international investment. These efforts will create the necessary conditions for sustained growth and international engagement.
Finally reinforcing regional alliances, such as those within the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF), will further solidify Egypt's position as a key energy partner to Europe and North Africa. With global demand on the rise and clear geographic advantages, Egypt's natural gas sector has significant potential for a strong rebound. Effective implementation of these outlined strategies will not only help meet domestic energy needs but also re-establish Egypt as a major exporter, leveraging its strategic location and substantial reserves to contribute significantly to regional and global energy security.