Shell Egypt emphasised the crucial role of natural gas in ensuring energy security and driving a balanced transition throughout EGYPES 2025, with senior executives contributing to discussions on Africa’s energy future, investment opportunities, and the evolving role of gas as a bridge to renewables.
Throughout EGYPES 2025, which closes today, Shell Egypt reinforced the crucial role of natural gas in ensuring energy security and driving a balanced transition, with senior Shell executives contributing to high-level discussions on Africa’s energy future, investment opportunities, and the evolving role of gas as a bridge to renewables.
Speaking on Day 1, Ivan Tan, Executive Vice President for Development, Subsurface and Wells at Shell, highlighted how natural gas remains a critical enabler of secure and stable energy supplies. During the panel “Gas – Powering Energy-Hungry Nations and Industries”, Tan emphasized that natural gas accelerates the energy transition by balancing the weaknesses of renewable energy uptake, such as intermittency.
“Gas is the fabric of our society,” said Tan. “It is the lowest-carbon fossil fuel and brings significant advantages in helping us get through the energy transition, as it plays a role in more obvious areas, like power generation, but also areas like feedstock, chemicals, and fertilizers. We want governments, society, and private investors to recognize the role of gas as a fuel that helps strike the right balance between sustainability and energy security, while partnering with them to include it in the energy mix in the future.”
On Day 2, Suzanne Coogan, Vice President for Heartland Exploration and Namibia at Shell, joined a panel discussion on how African nations can capitalize on their natural gas reserves to strengthen energy security and global export markets. She stressed the importance of local content, investment-friendly policies, and infrastructure to accelerate gas development across the continent.
“Energy security is the backbone of economic development, and Africa holds vast untapped gas reserves. [To attract International Oil Companies (IOCs)] – in Africa and anywhere else – there needs to be an open business environment with transparent market structures and clear fiscal policies,” Coogan stated.
Coogan also reinforced that Shell is committed to delivering secure and lower-carbon energy, with a target of increasing natural gas by up to 30% by 2030. She stated that the energy transition does not require polarization, but pragmatism by blending renewable energy, fossil fuels, and hydrocarbons.
Beyond the discussions on energy security, Shell executives explored key workforce challenges shaping the future of the industry. Wafaa El Ashry, HR Manager at Shell Egypt, shared insights on maximizing energy talent acquisition and retention through employer branding strategies. Separately, Omneya Abdellatif, Managing Counsel for LNG and Head of Legal at Shell Egypt, contributed to a discussion evaluating LNG market dynamics for both buyers and sellers.
Dalia Elgabry, Vice President and Country Chair, Shell Egypt, said, “Egypt’s energy ambitions are built on investment, innovation, and partnerships. At Shell, we are committed to supporting these goals by leveraging our expertise in gas development, advancing lower-carbon solutions, and investing in the next generation of energy leaders.”
Shell Egypt said it remains focused on delivering energy solutions that balance security, sustainability, and economic progress. With a strong presence in Egypt’s upstream sector and an ongoing commitment to workforce development, Shell continues to be a key partner in the country’s energy transition.
