Egypt’s daily natural gas production has increased to 4.05bcf within the last week of July – for the first time since the beginning of 2016 – compared to a production volume of 4bcf in previous weeks, reported Daily News Egypt.

The increase came after Italy’s Eni has added the 110mcf it produced in its gas field in the Nile Delta. A source at the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) has declared that the company added about 70mcf of gas to the daily production from the Nooros field in Abu Madi concession, while additional 40mcf/d came from East Baltim 12 in Nile Delta.

The source also pointed out that Egypt solved the large decline in its natural gas production by linking new wells to the national network as the companies reduced developing their fields in concession areas since 2013.

The Ministry of Electricity has estimated its maximum and minimum gas needs for the summer; the maximum and minimum volumes needed will stand at 3.9bcf/d and 3.3bcf/d, respectively.

EGAS has allowed the private sector to import and sell gas for the domestic market to reduce pressure on the government. The cabinet has submitted a new gas law draft regulating the natural gas market to the House of Representatives for approval. Under the new legislation, Egypt would grant licences to new gas suppliers and shippers from among private companies. Meanwhile, the number of companies applying for licenses to import natural gas from abroad has increased to five companies, reported Daily News Egypt.