Egypt Eyes Gas Production Increase

Egypt plans to increase natural gas production from several key concession areas, including its giant Zohr field, in 2025. (Getty Images)
Egypt plans to increase natural gas production from several key concession areas, including its giant Zohr field, in 2025. (Getty Images)
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Egypt Eyes Gas Production Increase

Egypt plans to increase natural gas production from several key concession areas, including its giant Zohr field, in 2025. (Getty Images)
Egypt plans to increase natural gas production from several key concession areas, including its giant Zohr field, in 2025. (Getty Images)

Egypt plans to increase natural gas production from several key concession areas, including its giant Zohr field, in 2025, Petroleum Minister Karim Badawi said on Monday.

The government aims to ramp up output at Zohr by drilling new wells starting in the first quarter of 2025, according to a ministry statement. Production from the field remained stable at around 2 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d) in the fiscal year 2023-24, which ended in June.

Zohr, once a game-changer that turned Egypt from a net gas importer to an exporter, peaked at 3.2 bcf/d in 2019 but has since seen output decline to 1.9 bcf/d in early 2024.

The drop was mainly due to foreign oil companies’ hesitance to invest as Egypt accumulated billions in arrears. However, in August, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced that his government had a clear plan to restore and increase production levels in cooperation with foreign partners.

Egypt is also seeking to boost pipeline imports from neighboring Israel and Cyprus while exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) through its two export facilities.

Additionally, Egypt signed a partnership agreement on Monday with Greece's Copelouzos Group to enhance the trade, transport, supply, and regasification of natural gas across Eastern Europe and Greece.



Saudi Arabia Boosts Food Security

An agricultural farm in Saudi Arabia (SPA)
An agricultural farm in Saudi Arabia (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Boosts Food Security

An agricultural farm in Saudi Arabia (SPA)
An agricultural farm in Saudi Arabia (SPA)

Saudi Arabia is accelerating efforts to strengthen food security, a strategic objective rooted in the Kingdom’s founding and shaped by its desert geography and limited water resources.

As part of its Vision 2030, the Kingdom has placed food security among its top priorities, implementing a national strategy to boost local production and promote long-term agricultural sustainability.

The agricultural sector’s contribution to GDP rose to SAR114 billion ($30.4 billion) in 2024, up from SAR109 billion ($29 billion) the previous year, according to the latest Vision 2030 annual report.

Government support, particularly through the Agricultural Development Fund, has fueled the sector’s growth. Agricultural loans increased by 54% between 2018 and 2024, reaching SAR5 billion ($1.33 billion).

Saudi Arabia has achieved higher self-sufficiency rates across several key products. Domestic production in 2024 included 2.95 million tons of fruit, 3.38 million tons of vegetables, 1.83 million tons of grains, 399,000 tons of eggs, 2.7 million tons of milk, 274,000 tons of red meat, 1.15 million tons of poultry, 217,000 tons of fish, and 8,500 tons of honey.

Aquaculture has seen significant growth, with fish production rising from 40,000 tons in 2016 to over 246,000 tons in 2024, driven by investments in sustainable technologies and marine projects. Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as an emerging regional hub for aquaculture.

The Kingdom’s progress reflects its long-term commitment to food security, supported by initiatives to enhance supply chains, stimulate private sector investment, and advance research and innovation in modern farming technologies. Authorities say the achievements so far signal Saudi Arabia’s ability to continue advancing toward self-sufficiency in a more resilient and sustainable agricultural environment.