Oil Ministry kicks off fresh oil + gas tender: State-owned Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company has launched an international oil and gas tender for 12 exploration blocks in the Mediterranean and Nile Delta, according to an Oil Ministry statement. The tender, which concludes on 30 April, 2023 at 12pm, includes six onshore blocks and another six offshore blocks.

The tender will take place on the Egypt Upstream Gateway (EUG) digital platform, which provides E&P companies geological data for exploration and production activity.

Egypt is doubling down on its oil and gas industry, as well as rationing domestic gas consumption, as part of its efforts to bring to an end a shortage of foreign currency. Ministers will be hoping that the new tender, together with the new oil exploration agreements recently approved by MPs, will provide a significant boost to output. Natural gas production reportedly fell from a peak of 7.2 bn cf per day to 6.5 bn cf/d in the year to 3Q 2022.

The news received attention internationally: Reuters.