Egypt plans to increase Idku liquefaction plant’s gas exports to reach 1.13 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d) in June 2019, compared to the current 800 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscf/d) of gas exports.

The plant is set to start operating in full capacity by mid-2019, as natural gas from neighboring Mediterranean fields reaches the plant and as local production increases, Minister of Petroleum, Tarek El Molla, told Al Borsa News.

Idku’s gas exports brought Egypt back to the global market after achieving self-sufficiency, El Molla noted.

The Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) owns a 12% stake in the plant, with another 12% owned by the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS), 35.5% by Royal Dutch Shell, and 5% by Gaz de France (GDF).