Egypt’s Meleiha gas plant to start operations next month – minister

Egypt’s Meleiha Gas Processing Plant in the Western Desert is set to start operations next month with a production capacity of up to 100 million cubic feet of natural gas per day.

The plant’s start-up is expected to support higher domestic gas production and reduce Egypt’s reliance on imported gas, as the country works to strengthen local supplies and lower its energy import bill.

Badawi made the remarks during an expanded meeting to review the performance of exploration, production and refining activities, as well as the petroleum sector’s work plans and key targets for the next five years.

In the refining sector, Badawi said refinery utilisation rates rose to more than 80 per cent in 2026, supported by increased crude oil supplies and efficiency and development projects.

He said higher utilisation had increased domestic production of petroleum products, reduced the dollar-denominated import bill and lowered diesel import volumes, while boosting exports of specialised, value-added petroleum products.

The meeting also discussed plans to reduce the petroleum product import bill by increasing local production, improving refinery efficiency, implementing new projects and maximising the use of available production capacities.