The halted volumes total roughly 1.1 billion cubic feet per day from Israel’s Tamar and Leviathan offshore gas fields in the eastern Mediterranean, adding pressure to Egypt’s energy system. The Leviathan field, operated by Chevron, was among those shut down, Reuters reported, citing three sources.
Israel formally notified Egypt of the supply halt, invoking the “force majeure” clause in gas contracts, which exempts parties from liability for disruptions caused by extraordinary events such as war or government action.
Egypt imported around 344 billion cubic feet of Israeli gas in the fiscal year ending June 2025, up about 8 percent from the previous year, according to Asharq News.
Officials said Cairo is rescheduling liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments and leasing five floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) at Ain Sokhna Port, with a combined capacity of nearly 2 billion cubic feet per day, to offset the shortfall. Plans are also underway to import 75 additional LNG cargoes valued at roughly $3.75 billion.
Egypt produces about 4.1 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day, while domestic demand stands at around 6.2 billion cubic feet per day.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on Saturday reviewed petroleum reserves and supply stability with Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Karim Badawi. Badawi said strategic petroleum reserves remain at safe levels and that supplies for key sectors continue uninterrupted.
He added that precautionary measures and contingency plans are in place to ensure a rapid response to potential disruptions.
The export suspension comes amid a wider regional escalation after US and Israeli strikes on Iran early Saturday, which targeted Tehran and other cities. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks on Israel and US assets in the region, heightening concerns about energy and supply security across the Middle East.
Short link: