Egypt halts fertilizer production as Israeli gas disruptions deepen energy strain
Egyptian fertilizer producers were forced to halt operations on Friday due to a drop in natural gas imports from Israel, industry sources told Reuters.
They said major Israeli gas fields had suspended operations following Israel's military strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities and missile factories.
In response, an emergency plan was enacted prioritizing gas allocations, including cutting supply to some industries, Egypt’s Petroleum Ministry said in a statement.
Power stations have ramped up their use of fuel oil to maximum available levels, the ministry said, and some plants are being switched to diesel to help protect the stability of the gas network and avoid power load reductions.
The ministry did not provide a date for when gas supply might return to normal, the sources said.
Leviathan and Karish, two of Israel's main gas fields, were closed on Friday. A third, Tamar, remained operational, one gas analyst told Reuters.
The Israeli Energy Ministry told Reuters that there are disruptions to the regular supply of natural gas, which have, among other consequences, led to a temporary suspension of exports.
It added that it will make every effort to resume supply as soon as possible.
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said that Cairo was monitoring the regional situation closely and was aiming to increase its strategic stocks of various commodities before holding a meeting with top energy officials and the central bank.