The supply of natural gas from Egypt to Israel has resumed after a number of delays, said an Israeli partner in the East Mediterranean Gas (EMG) consortium.

The gas pipeline connecting the two countries had been damaged in an explosion and fire on Feb. 5. Gas supply to Israeli customers was set to resume on Monday after completion of repair work and testing, but a leak was discovered.

The date had already been pushed back several times from March 4.

“EMG has further advised that, according to technical protocols, the initial quantities of gas supplied to EMG are less than the contractual quantities and will ramp up on a daily basis to reach full contractual quantities,” Ampal-American Israel Corp said in a statement.
Ampal holds 12.5 percent of EMG.

Egyptian state television and local government officials had reported that saboteurs blew up the pipeline that runs through Egypt’s North Sinai, disrupting flows to Israel and Jordan after Islamists called on militants to exploit the unrest that led to the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak.

EMG is owned by Egyptian businessman Hussain Salem, Egypt Natural Gas Co, Thailand’s PTT, American businessman Sam Zell, Ampal-American and Israel’s Merhav.

EMG supplies 45 percent of the gas needs of Israel’s electric utility. The rest comes from off Israeli shores.

(Source: Reuters)