Egyptian Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Karim Badawi has inspected the national natural gas control center to review supply flows and assess the network’s readiness to meet domestic demand amid regional uncertainty and volatility in global energy markets, the ministry said on October 31.

During the visit to the National Advanced Telecommunications and Automation (NATA) control center, based at state-owned Egyptian Natural Gas Company (GASCO), Badawi reviewed gas supplies from domestic production and imports, as well as their reception, transportation and distribution across the national network.

The minister also examined real-time monitoring systems and procedures for responding to changes in supply and demand, which allow operators to allocate available gas among power generation, industry and other consumers while maintaining network stability.

Badawi called for closer coordination across the petroleum sector and faster development of new wells to raise domestic production, narrow the gap between supply and demand, and reduce reliance on imports.

He also praised the staff of the control center staff for managing the network and monitoring gas flows around the clock.

Earlier in the day, the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources announced that it would begin testing a digital system to track fuel distribution in Port Said on November 1.