The gov’t has a plan to get our energy sector back on track: Over the past couple of years, Egypt has faced a number of increasingly pressing energy issues, running the gamut from declining oil and gas production to mounting arrears owed to foreign energy companies. Speaking at an AmCham event attended by EnterpriseAM, Oil Minister Karim Badawi outlined a roadmap to stabilize the sector, enhance production, and foster sustainable investments, with a particular emphasis on cross-sectoral collaboration in support of sustainable economic development.

Meeting local energy needs remains the top priority: Badawi made clear that securing Egypt’s energy supply is at the forefront of the ministry’s agenda. The government is focusing on “production, production, production,” Badawi said, with the state working to ramp up output, optimize existing fields, and accelerate exploration for new reserves. This focus, he noted, is critical not only for stabilizing the local market, but also for reducing reliance on imports and mitigating the economic strain of rising energy demands.

The refining and mining sectors can also be better exploited: The ministry is also looking to capitalize on Egypt’s developed petrochemical and refining infrastructure to generate value-added derivatives and support exports. These efforts aim to bring in much-needed FX to support the economy. Meanwhile, the mining sector — described by Badawi as a “dark horse” with untapped potential — is receiving new attention. Contributing just 1% of GDP today, the ministry has its sights set on scaling that figure to 5-6% in the coming years by fostering collaboration and revising investment policies.

ICYMI: Egypt is set to launch a global tender for gold mining and exploration at approximately 200 sites in the Eastern Desert by the end of the year. A new mining strategy is also on the cards, with Badawi saying last month that the government would unveil the new plan at the Mining World Conference 2024 in London next month.

The keys to long-term growth and sustainability: Badawi emphasized the importance of domestic partnerships — particularly with the Electricity Ministry — to achieve a more sustainable energy mix. Plans to increase renewable energy’s share to 42% by 2030 aim to free up natural gas for exports and industrial uses, bolstering Egypt’s FX reserves. He also underscored that energy efficiency and low-carbon operations are now essential for attracting investment, highlighting the need to balance environmental goals with economic priorities to maintain investor confidence.

Regional partnerships also play a key role in the ministry’s strategy, with a focus on collaboration with neighboring countries like Cyprus. Badawi pointed to these partnerships as critical for unlocking shared resources and achieving mutual energy goals, citing discussions at last month’s Mediterranean Offshore Conference in Alexandria as an example of such progress.

Badawi’s view of the oil industry’s last 30 months: In his early weeks as minister, Badawi called for addressing the root causes of Egypt’s energy challenges, which he described as a “perfect storm” of currency fluctuations and volatile global oil prices. These issues led to mounting arrears with international partners, slowed production and exploration, and a 20-25% drop in output, he said. The decline forced Egypt to rely on costly imports to meet growing domestic demand, putting additional pressure on finances. Now, the ministry’s focus is on addressing arrears, stabilizing production, and ensuring the sector supports Egypt’s economic growth in a sustainable way.

DATA POINT- Egypt has cleared USD 3.5 bn in arrears since March.

An end to power cuts will support growth: Ending rolling power cuts was a tough but crucial move to ensure consistent electricity for homes and businesses and support economic growth, according to Badawi. The decision required ramping up energy imports in 3Q, adding strain to the sector, but enabling key stabilization efforts.

To address the financial gap between rising import costs and domestic pricing, Egypt raised fuel prices in July and electricity tariffs in August, followed by a round of increases in household natural gas and LPG and fuel prices in September. Badawi acknowledged the challenges, but stressed that these adjustments were crucial for long-term stability and maintaining investor confidence in the energy sector. The hikes aimed to bridge the price gap between imports and domestic consumption, clear the arrears, and jumpstart production and exploration after a 30-month slowdown.

Badawi elaborated on the ministry’s recently announced oil and gas incentives, with the minister stating that partners that exceed the 1 September production baseline would see additional output used to fund arrears and reinvest in operations. Updates to production-sharing agreements now include more flexible cost-recovery terms during the early stages of projects, enhancing their appeal, while supporting the sector’s long-term sustainability. Recognizing that previous agreements often fell short in maximizing returns — particularly with regard to gas projects — the ministry signaled its openness to adopting innovative fiscal and operational frameworks.

Greater fiscal flexibility is part of the plan: The ministry launched its Oil and Gas Investment Incentive Policy booklet during ADIPEC 2024 outlining a more flexible fiscal regime that includes updated royalties and tax structures to attract investments in the sector and accelerate production. The document remains open for feedback, with the ministry seeking to produce a win-win situation for sector players.

Cross-institutional collaboration is also key: “This is not a one-man show,” Badawi noted, stressing collaboration across the cabinet, regulatory bodies, and industry partners as necessary to stabilize and grow Egypt’s energy sector.

The ministry is strengthening partnerships with its 57 upstream operators, both local and international, to lower costs and boost production through initiatives like the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company’s (EGAS) invitation of bids for 12 new oil and gas exploration blocks in the Mediterranean and Nile Delta. Efforts to engage nontraditional Egyptian investors have also gained momentum, with a recent session highlighting flexible opportunities that don’t require massive capital to invest, supported by technical partnerships.

Where do we stand in terms of production levels? Egypt’s oil and gas production is on the rise, with Eni resuming operations and new wells expected online by December. BP is fast-tracking phase two of the Raven Field, while Apache is boosting both oil and gas output in the Western Desert. Companies like Shell, IPR Energy, and Ades Holding are also contributing to increased production through the development of new wells.

Around 77 exploration wells drilled in 10M 2024: Exploration efforts remain strong, Badawi said, with 77 wells drilled by October, resulting in 40 oil and 14 gas discoveries. Seismic studies in the Mediterranean have also resumed, serving as a tool for guiding exploration and identifying untapped opportunities.

What does 2025 look like for the energy and mining sectors? The focus will remain squarely on ramping up production levels to offset declines and reduce the energy import bill. Exploration will also take center stage, with efforts to unlock future reserves critical to securing long-term growth. Infrastructure upgrades and efficiency measures will complement these initiatives. Above all, Badawi noted the importance of collaboration and teamwork across government and industry, framing it as essential to realizing Egypt’s energy and mining ambitions.

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