The Ministry of Petroleum is planning to pump around 6.39 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d) of natural gas to fulfill the average market’s demand during the current year, a source to Alborsanews.

The domestic consumption surplus of the natural gas pumped will be exported through Idku and Damietta liquefaction plants.

The average gas consumption is increasing each year and is expected to reach 9 bcf/d by fiscal year (FY) 2020/2021 as a result of the natural gas surplus in most activities, the source said.

The source added that the current investments will add around 1.15 bcf to the current production which is estimated at 6.8 bcf.

The average surplus after fulfilling the local market’s demand is 1.56 bcf/d after binding the second phase of North Alexandria and increasing Zohr’s fields production that made Egypt’s natural gas production raise to 7.95 bcf/d during the current fiscal year.

The second phase of Zohr’s gas field is expected to raise its production from 2.3 bcf to 2.95 bcf.