Is Shell nearing a USD 25 bn agreement that could see Egypt become an East Med gas export hub? Shell is reportedly in talks to buy gas from the Israel’s Leviathan and Cyprus’ Aphrodite gas fields in a USD 25 bn, 10-year agreement, Israel’s Globes reports citing a report from Bloomberg. Shell is looking to buy 10 bcm of gas from both fields, industry sources said.

Background: Bloomberg had noted last year that Shell was looking for ways to move gas from Leviathan and Aphrodite, in which it holds a 35% stake, to Egypt’s Idku LNG facility, which it owns and from which it hopes to export. Last month’s USD 15 bn agreement between Leviathan operators and Alaa Arafa-led Dolphinus Holding to import gas to Egypt had opened options to moving gas to the country. Gas could be shipped to Egypt through Jordan via a pipeline as conditions for that appear ready, according to statements by Leviathan partners Delek Energy and Noble Drilling. Both are looking to purchase the rights to use the East Mediterranean Gas Company’s pipeline to transport gas to its customers in Egypt.