Alongside the control center visit, the Prime Minister inspected the Energos Eskimo, a newly arrived floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) at Ain Sokhna Port
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly began a key inspection tour on Saturday with a visit to the National Control Center for the Natural Gas Network, where he reviewed the system’s readiness to meet rising demand during the summer season.
Operated by GASCO, the control center oversees gas distribution across Egypt and plays a central role in ensuring supply security to critical sectors including electricity, industry, and households. Madbouly was briefed on emergency response protocols, operational flexibility, and the integration of imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) into the national grid.
Alongside the control center visit, the Prime Minister inspected the Energos Eskimo, a newly arrived floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) at Ain Sokhna Port.
The vessel is part of a government plan to deploy four such ships to enhance LNG import capacity.
The Energos Eskimo, the second vessel of its kind after Hoegh Galleon entered service last year, will be transferred to a specially prepared berth at SUMED Port in Sokhna, capable of handling 750 million cubic feet of gas per day.
Madbouly described the project as a reflection of Egypt’s commitment to energy security and its proactive approach to managing seasonal demand peaks.
Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Karim Badawi, who accompanied the Prime Minister, confirmed that a second berth at SUMED has been equipped with loading arms and pipelines connecting to the national gas network.
Technical preparations for the vessel’s integration into the system are expected to conclude within days. Badawi emphasized that the flexibility and resilience of the gas grid allow the state to adapt quickly to supply challenges and maintain reliable service.
At the control center, officials from GASCO and EGAS highlighted the use of real-time monitoring systems and simulation software to manage national gas flows and anticipate consumption spikes. The network also coordinates continuously with the national electricity grid to ensure stable power generation, particularly during high-demand summer months.
Madbouly praised the strategic approach taken by the petroleum sector, noting its ability to respond swiftly to crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and global supply disruptions caused by the war in Ukraine.
He also welcomed updates on the state’s broader LNG strategy, which includes two additional FSRUs currently being prepared at Ain Sokhna and Sonker terminals, and a fourth vessel scheduled to arrive in Damietta this August.
Together, the four vessels will bring an additional 2.25 billion cubic feet of gas per day into Egypt’s supply mix. Badawi noted that these imports were secured through strategic negotiations with countries such as Jordan and Germany, leveraging Egypt’s diplomatic relationships to ensure energy stability amid global market volatility.
The petroleum minister concluded the tour by reaffirming that, alongside LNG imports, the government continues to invest in boosting domestic production.
Exploration and development efforts are being ramped up, and recent measures to attract investment and stabilize partner payments are expected to gradually reverse natural production declines.
