Egypt is hoping to finalize eight new oil and gas exploration agreements, the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Tarek El Molla, told Al Mal.

The ministry is also reviewing security conditions in the Eastern and Western Deserts in preparation for offering additional oil and gas concessions in these areas.

Hoping to eliminate expensive energy imports next year, the government is seeking to increase oil and gas exploration, development, and production, El Molla said.