Egypt’s natural gas production down 8% y/y in Q1 2026 to 9.85bn cubic metres

Egypt’s natural gas production declined by 8% year-on-year (y/y/) in Q1 2026, driven by continued pressure on domestic output as demand remained elevated, data from the Joint Organisations Data Initiative (JODI) showed on May 25, as cited by Al Arabiya Business. 

Production during the period reached 9.85bn cubic metres, compared with nearly 10.7bn cubic metres recorded in the same quarter of the previous year. At the same time, Egypt significantly increased gas imports to meet domestic demand. Total imports rose by 36% y/y to 6bn cubic metres during the quarter.

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports accounted for the largest increase, climbing by 131% y/y to 4.3bn cubic metres. In contrast, imports of dry natural gas through pipelines fell by 34% y/y to 1.7bn cubic metres. Domestic consumption also recorded growth during the period, up 3% y/y to reach 15.46bn cubic metres. The rise was largely driven by stronger demand from electricity generation facilities.

Gas consumption by power stations increased by 8% y/y to approximately 8.3bn cubic metres as authorities sought to meet higher electricity requirements, according to JODI. Despite lower production levels and stronger domestic demand, Egypt recorded a sharp increase in exports. Gas exports surged by 321% y/y during the quarter to reach 378mn cubic metres.

Egypt faces a widening gap between falling domestic natural gas production, driven by declining output at its massive Zohr offshore field, and surging consumption from an electricity sector that is over 80% gas-dependent for summer cooling. The energy deficit has forced the country to pivot from a regional export hub into a net importer, leaving its economy highly vulnerable to volatile global LNG prices and sudden regional supply shocks.