Egypt Eager for New Investment Opportunities in Oil, Gas Sectors

Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi meets with a delegation from Mubadala Energy led by CEO Mansoor Mohammed Al Hamed. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi meets with a delegation from Mubadala Energy led by CEO Mansoor Mohammed Al Hamed. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Egypt Eager for New Investment Opportunities in Oil, Gas Sectors

Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi meets with a delegation from Mubadala Energy led by CEO Mansoor Mohammed Al Hamed. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi meets with a delegation from Mubadala Energy led by CEO Mansoor Mohammed Al Hamed. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi said on Saturday that Emirati investments in the energy, petroleum, and gas sectors are a key symbol of the distinguished cooperation between the two brotherly nations.

Mubadala Energy, an Emirati company, exemplifies serious collaboration and investment in Egypt, he added.

Badawi welcomed the expansion of Emirati investments in Egypt’s petroleum and mining sectors, especially as new investment opportunities were offered.

He made his remarks during a meeting with a delegation from Mubadala Energy, led by CEO Mansoor Mohammed Al Hamed, accompanied by Adnan Buftaim, Executive Vice President for Global Technical Operations, Zayed Al Mazrouei, head of Marketing and Refining, and Salma Al Hajri, Regional Vice President for the Eastern Mediterranean and North Africa.

The officials reviewed Mubadala’s activities in natural gas exploration in Egypt, highlighting the company’s participation in key areas in the Mediterranean Sea.

Mubadala holds a 10% stake in the Zohr gas field, 20% stake in the Noor gas field, and 27% stake in Block 4 in the Red Sea.

The meeting touched on the recent global bid for natural gas exploration in the Mediterranean and the Nile Delta, launched by the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) in 12 areas.

Mubadala expressed interest in the bid and reviewed the available information through Egypt Upstream Gateway (EUG).

Al Hamed underscored the promising opportunities for further expansion, especially given the excellent relations between Egypt and the UAE.

He noted that Mubadala’s partnerships in gas exploration and production in Egypt, alongside international companies, provide a solid foundation for future expansion in other regions.

He also stressed the importance of Mubadala’s involvement in the Arab Petroleum Pipelines Company “SUMED,” which stands as one of the most successful models of Arab cooperation.

He reaffirmed that open dialogue would continue, seeking new ideas for future collaboration.



Europe’s Auto Industry Might Face €15 Billion in Fines Over Emissions

A worker walks past parked Renault cars at its stockyard on the outskirts of the western Indian city of Ahmedabad June 11, 2013. (Reuters)
A worker walks past parked Renault cars at its stockyard on the outskirts of the western Indian city of Ahmedabad June 11, 2013. (Reuters)
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Europe’s Auto Industry Might Face €15 Billion in Fines Over Emissions

A worker walks past parked Renault cars at its stockyard on the outskirts of the western Indian city of Ahmedabad June 11, 2013. (Reuters)
A worker walks past parked Renault cars at its stockyard on the outskirts of the western Indian city of Ahmedabad June 11, 2013. (Reuters)

Renault chief Luca de Meo warned Saturday that European carmakers could face fines of 15 billion euros if they fail to respect EU emissions rules, calling for "some flexibility" as electric car sales slow on the continent.

He told France Inter radio: "In order to meet CO2 emission standards calculated on average for all cars sold, manufacturers will have to reduce their production by more than 2.5 million vehicles to avoid being penalized."

De Meo, who is also president of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), said an EV car can compensate for four thermal cars.

"We are now preparing for 2025 because we are taking orders for the cars we're going to deliver. According to our calculations, if EV production remains at today's level, the European industry may have to pay 15 billion euros in fines or give up production of more than 2.5 million units," he said.

"We need to be given a little flexibility. Setting deadlines and fines without being able to make that more flexible is very, very dangerous," he warned.

In August, battery-electric cars accounted for 12.5% of the EU car market, with a 10.8% drop in sales year-on-year.

The Renault chief underlined the importance of the EV market for European industrial battery manufacturing projects. "If electric cars do not sell, these projects will face difficulties," he added.

To explain the weak market for electric vehicles, de Meo cited the high prices of cars, the very slow installation of charging stations and "uncertainty" about the subsidies for the purchase of electric vehicles.

He said the German government ended its electric car subsidy program last December, leading to a drastic drop in sales.

Commenting on those subsidies, he stressed "we need stability, visibility" and "a certain consistency" in our policies.

The European automobile industry is under intense pressure from Chinese competition. Volkswagen warned this week that it would consider closing factories in Germany for the first time in its 87-year history.

This should not happen to Renault, which has already made savings, de Meo assured. "A few years ago, we had to make a very hard decision by reducing production capacity by more than one million vehicles," he explained.