Egypt: Bid rounds, gas law, big developments planned

The positive impact of improved investor sentiment towards Egypt’s upstream is now being felt in terms of planned gas production increases that will come on stream starting in 2017. Buoyed by the return of investor optimism after several years during which many of the largest developments were on hold, the authorities are planning a series of licensing rounds this year. In a further strategic advance that could open new opportunities for the development of gas reserves, the government has approved a draft gas law, which must now be voted by parliament.