Egypt's Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources is working to expedite the finalization of agreements with US energy company Chevron to connect Cyprus' Aphrodite gas field to Egyptian infrastructure. The project is expected to enter the implementation stage soon. The ministry aims to strengthen coordination among all parties involved to advance work and finalize technical, financial, and commercial frameworks, as well as the project timeline.
The agreement will help maximize the use of Egypt's gas infrastructure and capabilities to process and handle gas resources from the Eastern Mediterranean region. Petroleum Minister Karim Badawi emphasized the importance of the project in a videoconference with Chevron's President of Base Assets and Emerging Countries, Javier La Rosa. The meeting focused on the gas field and potential opportunities to expand natural gas exploration in the Mediterranean.
In March 2026, Egypt and Chevron signed an agreement to accelerate the development and production of gas from Aphrodite and connect the field to Egypt through a 280-kilometre subsea pipeline. The pipeline will transport the gas to Egypt's network in Port Said for processing and re-export. This will help meet the country's rising demand and strengthen its position as a regional energy hub.
Egypt signed a 15-year agreement to purchase the entire output of Aphrodite, which holds estimated reserves of 3.7 trillion cubic feet. Chevron and major energy company Shell each hold a 35 percent stake in the field. The development of Aphrodite has been delayed for years due to financing and geopolitical challenges. The field has an estimated peak production capacity of about 800 million cubic feet per day.
The steps are part of Egypt's efforts to increase domestic energy production, secure additional liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments, and adjust supply flows. Egypt's energy import bill rose amid higher oil and gas prices and regional tensions that disrupted Israeli gas supplies. Chevron expressed its intention to expand its operations in Egypt, particularly natural gas exploration in the Mediterranean.
Egypt set a new target last week to raise its domestic gas output by around 330 million cubic feet per day before the end of 2026. The country plans to drill more than 100 exploratory wells in 2026 and more than 480 wells across petroleum-producing areas under a five-year strategy aimed at maximizing resources and securing new energy reserves.
The developments are part of Egypt's efforts to maximize the use of promising opportunities in the Mediterranean and attract more investment in exploration and field development. The country is paying off outstanding dues to foreign partners and focusing on field development, exploration, and new discoveries. Chevron will support increased drilling and exploration efforts, new discoveries, and higher production.
Key points
- Egypt's Petroleum Ministry and Chevron are finalizing an agreement to connect Cyprus' Aphrodite gas field to Egyptian infrastructure.
- The project aims to increase domestic energy production and secure additional LNG shipments.
- Egypt targets a 330 million cubic feet per day increase in domestic gas output before the end of 2026.
