Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sweilam and Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El-Molla discussed joint cooperation and the procedures for implementing the articles of the Water Resources and Irrigation Law No. 147 of 2021 regarding water licensing for petroleum facilities.
During the meeting on Saturday, the two ministers addressed the coordination between the two ministries regarding licensing the provision of water needs for two of the projects of the Ministry of Petroleum that are being implemented to increase fuel production capacities and maximize added value.
Talks concentrated on the new diesel production complex in Assiut affiliated with ANOPC and the methanol production plant in Damietta, one of the petrochemical production projects.
Both ministers expressed interest in cooperation with all state agencies to achieve sustainable management of state projects.
Sweilam, for his part, confirmed that his ministry is working continuously to raise the efficiency of water use in Egypt, improve the process of water management and implement projects that contribute to meeting water needs for all uses, whether for agriculture and drinking or for industry and petroleum activities.
He appreciated the efforts of the Ministry of Petroleum and its initiative to provide data on water wells and sources to the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, pointing to the importance of this cooperation in studying the potential of groundwater reservoirs in Egypt, within the framework of working to achieve rational management of deep groundwater.
For his part, El-Molla affirmed that the petroleum sector attaches special importance to the preservation of water resources based on its comprehensive vision, in which the preservation of various natural resources is an essential pillar, pointing out that the technology of industrial drainage without waste, known as “ ZLD” has been circulated in all sector projects to preserve the environment, recycle water and use it in a closed circuit system in projects.
El-Molla also confirmed that his ministry is constantly working to provide all necessary studies and data to the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation regarding wells and water sources, which are monitored during the seismic survey carried out by the petroleum sector, stressing work to expand the scope of cooperation in this regard.
During the meeting, the two ministers directed the work teams from the two sides to quickly finalize the preparation of the joint protocol regarding the licensing of the uses of water resources for the projects of the “Diesel Production Complex in Assiut” and the “Production of Methanol in Damietta” to be signed as soon as possible.
