By Ahmed Tolba
Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) is set to implement plans aimed at transporting gas to an additional two million homes throughout 2013-2014, using investments totalling EGP 6bn.
President of EGAS, Sherif Sousa, called on the private sector to serve as contractors in the transport of natural gas. He pointed out that private companies would only be responsible for implementing projects, while companies affiliated with the Ministry of Petroleum would be responsible for serving its clients.
The funds for providing natural gas for the extra two million homes would come from funds allocated to subsidise propane whose value is estimated to at EGP 3bn yearly, adding that priority would be given to homes located in provinces in Upper Egypt.
“A special committee composed of companies in the natural gas sector will be created and tasked with examining and monitoring the implementation process based on particular specifications,” said Sousa, adding that by 2014 the plan would provide gas to an additional 5 to 7 million homes in provinces throughout Egypt.
The list of private sector companies involved in the transport of natural gas include Net Gas, owned by the Al-Kharafi Group which operates in Cairo, Giza, Alexandria, Behira and Fayoum, Ribeko Gas, which operates in Suez and the Red Sea, Taranis Gas which operates in Kafr Al-Shaykh, Wadi Al-Neel, Bani Suwif, Al-Mina, Asyut, Mega Gas, which operates in Zifti, Mit Ghamar, Kafr Al-Ziyut, Overseas Gas which operates in Bulaq Al-Dukrur, Al-Waraaq, Al-Manira, Imbaba, Maya Gas, which operates in Al-Muasar Al-Saf, and National Gas, which operates in Al-Sharqia.
