Egypt’s Gas Export Pipeline Targeted Again
Saboteurs have attacked Egypt’s natural gas export infrastructure in the Sinai Peninsula twice during the last week, on 25 and 28 November, marking the eighth and ninth times respectively that export via the Arab Gas Pipeline (AGP) and the al-'Arish-Ashkelon pipeline have been targeted since February. Gas flows through the pipeline system had been cut off due to an earlier attack on 10 November (MEES, 21 November). That attack brought a halt to shipments that had resumed on 24 October after weeks of closure following an attack on the pipeline in September. Egyptian security authorities have arrested some suspects who are allegedly affiliated with Islamic groups operating in the Sinai. Both of the most recent attacks have occurred west of al-'Arish.
The halt in shipments of Egyptian gas have had serious repercussions for both the Israeli and Jordanian economies. Both countries have been forced to switch to more expensive alternatives in order to meet power generation demands (MEES, 31 October). Convinced that Egypt is no longer a reliable supplier, Israel is working to develop new offshore gas discoveries and build an offshore LNG regasification facility. Jordan is examining the possibility of securing gas supplies from Iraq and as well as considering an LNG regasification terminal near 'Aqaba.
Copyright MEES 2011.
