KEY POINTS
Egypt and Qatar are in advanced discussions to develop joint natural gas projects, including long-term supply agreements and LNG infrastructure cooperation.
QatarEnergy aims to expand exploration activities in Egypt’s Mediterranean waters and has recently agreed to acquire a stake in Chevron’s offshore block.
The talks reflect a strategic push to deepen Egypt-Qatar energy ties amid rising global demand for natural gas and expanding regional energy integration.
In a significant step towards deepening regional energy cooperation, Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Karim Badawi, held high-level discussions with Saad bin Sherida Al-Kaabi, Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs, to explore expanded collaboration in the natural gas sector.
The meeting took place in Cairo and centered on enhancing bilateral energy ties, particularly in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) market.
According to an official statement, both ministers reviewed the possibility of signing long-term contracts for the supply of Qatari natural gas to meet Egypt’s domestic demand.
Zawya reports that they also examined opportunities for infrastructure collaboration, including LNG liquefaction and regasification projects, with an eye on bolstering both nations’ strategic positions in the global gas market.
“The talks are aimed at accelerating the development of joint projects that benefit from the comparative advantages of both countries in LNG trade and distribution,” the statement read.
Focus on LNG, exploration, and petrochemicals marks ambitious bilateral strategy
The discussions included detailed updates on QatarEnergy’s existing and planned drilling operations in Egypt, particularly in the Mediterranean Sea.
These operations—conducted in partnership with global energy major ExxonMobil—include projects such as Nefertari, Cairo, and Masry fields, which are considered vital to Egypt’s future production targets.
QatarEnergy, already a key stakeholder in Egypt’s Exploration and Production Gateway (EUG), expressed renewed interest in boosting its footprint in the Egyptian energy landscape. “QatarEnergy is committed to expanding its investment portfolio in Egypt’s upstream sector,” Minister Al-Kaabi was quoted as saying.
Highlighting recent developments, officials pointed to an agreement involving QatarEnergy, Chevron, and the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS), under which QatarEnergy will acquire a stake in Chevron’s assets in the North El-Dabaa offshore block.
Minister Badawi, in turn, showcased investment opportunities within Egypt’s rapidly evolving oil, gas, and petrochemical sectors, inviting Qatari partners to participate in value-added projects. He emphasized Egypt’s role as a growing regional hub for gas processing and export, supported by strategic geography and expanding infrastructure.
This engagement reflects a broader trend of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries increasing investments in Egypt’s energy sector, especially as global demand for cleaner fuels like natural gas rises. The talks also align with Egypt’s national energy strategy, which prioritizes foreign investment, sustainability, and regional integration.
Energy analysts note that stronger Egypt-Qatar energy cooperation could stabilize supply chains in the Eastern Mediterranean and provide critical support to Egypt’s energy transition goals. The move is also seen as a potential hedge against energy market volatility influenced by geopolitical tensions.
The Egyptian-Qatari dialogue signals a growing maturity in bilateral relations, following recent improvements in diplomatic and economic ties after years of strained interactions. Both countries appear poised to leverage natural gas not only as a commercial asset but as a bridge for deeper strategic alignment.
A follow-up meeting between technical delegations is expected in the coming weeks to advance specific project proposals and finalize terms of future cooperation agreements.
