Egypt Exports 90% of its Gas to European Markets


Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El-Molla speaking at the Egypt Oil and Gas Convention in Cairo (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El-Molla speaking at the Egypt Oil and Gas Convention in Cairo (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Egypt Exports 90% of its Gas to European Markets


Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El-Molla speaking at the Egypt Oil and Gas Convention in Cairo (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El-Molla speaking at the Egypt Oil and Gas Convention in Cairo (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Egypt exported eight million tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) this year, up from seven million in 2021, announced Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El-Molla.

During the opening of the eighth Egypt Oil and Gas Convention in Cairo, Molla said that 90 percent of Egyptian LNG exports would be destined for European Union markets.

The conference organized by Egypt Oil and Gas, focuses the efforts on achieving a balance between the sustainability of securing energy supplies and reducing emissions.

Molla reviewed the idea of establishing an East Mediterranean Gas Forum after communicating with neighboring countries in the Eastern Mediterranean region and European Union countries taking advantage of the natural resources in the area.

It will also help secure part of the energy supplies for the EU countries.

He pointed out that all these efforts prepared Egypt to meet part of the demand for natural gas for European markets, as it exported about seven million tons of LNG last year, 80 percent of which was for the EU markets.

The Minister was optimistic that Egypt would achieve more in the coming period with the continuous and fruitful cooperation between the local and international oil sector companies and everyone’s cooperation to increase the production of oil wealth, ensure the sustainability of operations, and reduce emissions.

The petroleum sector succeeded as a result of cooperation, interdependence, and teamwork on an integrated program in partnership between the sector’s entities affiliated with the state, the private sector, and international companies, with the full support of President Abdul Fattah El-Sisi and the government.

Molla stressed that the forum was a pioneer in its inception and topics, which proved in the recent period the importance of cooperation between countries of the eastern Mediterranean and EU amid global challenges in the energy market.

Gas decarbonization requires concerted efforts to accelerate its achievement to exploit natural resources and move towards carbon removal in connection with the vital participation of the oil and gas sector in the successful Climate Summit (COP 27) recently organized by Egypt.

He also said that the oil and gas sector had the outstanding human resources, skills, and expertise required to achieve its climate goals, noting that the industry will find mechanisms and cooperation platforms to maximize work with its global partners, making optimal use of its resources, natural abilities, and cadres.



Energy Fund to Boost Saudi-US Strategic Investments

Heads of companies investing in the energy fund (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Heads of companies investing in the energy fund (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Energy Fund to Boost Saudi-US Strategic Investments

Heads of companies investing in the energy fund (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Heads of companies investing in the energy fund (Asharq Al-Awsat)

A $5 billion energy investment fund was unveiled in Riyadh on Tuesday during the Saudi-US Investment Forum, held in conjunction with US President Donald Trump’s visit to the kingdom, in a move aimed at boosting bilateral partnerships and stabilizing the global energy sector.

The White House announced in a statement that the fund was among several key initiatives agreed during Trump’s visit, calling it a “historic step” toward deepening economic cooperation between the United States and Saudi Arabia.

Scott Pruitt, who served as the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), told Asharq Al-Awsat the fund will target strategic investments in the energy sector, focusing primarily on US-based companies.

These include firms supporting existing energy hubs and those developing transitional technologies to advance the global energy future and promote efficient manufacturing.

Pruitt said the fund aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, aiming to invest in companies that can benefit from the kingdom’s business environment while also supporting energy-related infrastructure, services, and manufacturing in the US.

The fund is expected to begin deploying its $5 billion capital in 2025, he added.

Strategic Investment in Energy

Neil Bush, chairman of Skytower Investments, a green technology investment firm, said the energy fund brings together experienced partners in fund management and energy investment.

He noted that it will play a critical role in directing strategic capital toward the future of global energy and efficient production.

The fund naturally targets the development of US infrastructure, bolstering America’s leadership in global energy markets and delivering strong returns to investors, Bush said.

Launched during President Trump’s visit, this initiative sends a strong signal of renewed economic momentum between Washington and Riyadh.

Saudi businessman Abdullah Al-Meleihi, CEO of Saudi Excellence Co., described the fund as more than a capital mechanism, calling it a “bridge of trust and ambition” between the two countries.

He emphasized Trump’s role in creating a climate conducive to innovation and opportunity.

Al-Meleihi said the fund is expected to be fully established and financed in 2025, characterizing it as a model of public-private cooperation and strategic alignment between the US and Saudi Arabia.

He noted that it enjoys robust support from the private sector in both countries as well as international investors, and will focus on energy, technology, artificial intelligence in energy, and advanced industries, while also facilitating knowledge transfer to the kingdom and capital investment in the US.