Egypt plans to launch $5.4bn LNG tender for 2026 supply

The Egyptian government is preparing to launch a significant global tender in March 2026 to import around 100 shipments of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) throughout the year, with an initial estimated value of $5.4bn, Asharq Business reported on December 8, citing a senior government official. 

The move aims at bridging the gap between national gas production and growing domestic demand. According to the official, the supply is scheduled to begin in April 2026.

The tender includes favourable payment conditions for foreign companies, allowing payment for the shipments after a period of no less than six months from the delivery date. The terms also require opening a letter of credit for 25% of the shipment value upon arrival in Egyptian waters, with the average price capped at $54mn per shipment.

The plan follows the successful contracting of 160 gas shipments so far in 2025, in addition to a 60-shipment contract with international energy majors Shell (SHEL: LSE) and TotalEnergies (TTA: EPA), which will cover needs during Q1 2026.

Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum has significantly curtailed current imports, reducing the LNG intake for December and January by 56% to only seven shipments per month. This reduction is intended to redirect about 1bn cubic feet of gas per day to the local market and has led to the postponement of 25 previously scheduled shipments until Q1 2026.

At the same time, the ministry is facilitating energy exports. The state-owned EGAS is set to export an LNG shipment within days from the Idku facility, utilising the tanker New Nature, on behalf of partners Shell and Petronas. The government has also agreed with foreign partners to allow them to export a minimum of four shipments of LNG monthly from their gas shares.