The Ministry of Petroleum is looking into constructing a petrochemical and refining facility in New El Alamein City, Egypt Oil & Gas reports.

The new projects will be located nearby the petroleum port of El Hamra and private companies are welcomed to contribute to these projects, petroleum minister Tarek El Molla said.

Commenting on Egypt’s gas production, El Molla confirmed Eni’s plan to increase Zohr production, stating that the field’s production will reach 1.75 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day (bcf/d) in August up from the current 1.2 bcf/d. 

He added that Zohr production will reach 2 bcf/d by the end of 2018, helping the country to produce 6.750 bcf/d by the end of 2018 up from the current 6 bcf/d. This increase will enable Egypt to increase self sufficiency by the end of the year, El Molla added.