Gov’t hints at willingness to settle on Union Fenosa arbitration ruling

Gov’t hints at willingness to settle on Union Fenosa arbitration ruling: It is the general policy of the government, and the Oil Ministry specifically, to seek a settlement in international arbitration cases, an Oil Ministry source told Al Mal. His statements are the first we’ve heard since news broke that the World Bank’s International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes ordered Egypt to pay USD 2 bn in settlements yesterday to Spanish-Italian JV Union Fenosa Gas (UGS) for the government cutting off supplies to UGS’ Damietta liquefaction plant. The source noted that the ministry is carefully studying the ruling before issuing an official statement on the matter, but added that the ministry was intending to resupply the plant and other liquefaction plants as its regional energy hub strategy gains steam. Supplies of natural gas will be restored by 2019, the source noted.