Egypt's LNG imports top 2025 record as Cairo pushes East Mediterranean gas hub ambitions

Egypt is extending bidding for six oil and gas exploration blocks until December 14, aligning the deadline with eight other concessions as it tries to reverse declining domestic production and turn its existing infrastructure into an Eastern Mediterranean gas export hub. LNG demand and imports are climbing: Egypt imported a record 8.92mn tonnes of LNG in 2025, and imports reached 10.52mn tonnes in January–September 2026, up about 85% from 5.70mn tonnes a year earlier, including a record 4.26mn tonnes in Q3. The country budgeted about $10.7bn for LNG and pipeline gas imports in 2026/27. Projects include Cyprus’s Cronos field, with Eni and TotalEnergies taking a final investment decision on July 28, targeting production in 2028.