The state-owned Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Cofmpany (EGAS) on 17 February announced the addition of the El Matariya Onshore block to the bid round it launched on 30 December. El Matariya is one of three onshore blocks and five offshore blocks that can be developed by international oil companies (IOCs) under production sharing agreements with EGAS, which this month got a new president (see box, p7).
A total of eight gas blocks are now on offer as production in the North African country is poised to be overtaken by domestic demand. A 15-block oil-focussed bid round from fellow state firm Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) is running concurrently (MEES, 3 January). (CONTINUED - 1197 WORDS)
