Egypt to export gas and petroleum products to Syria

Egypt has agreed to export natural gas and petroleum products to Syria, adding to a series of regional energy commitments that contrast with its own tightening gas balance and rising domestic demand.

Damascus seeks to rebuild an economy shattered by more than a decade of civil war. Energy officials from Egypt and Syria signed two preliminary agreements during talks in Cairo to deepen co-operation in gas and petroleum supplies, state news agency Wam reported on Monday. The value and volumes involved were not disclosed.

One agreement covers the supply of natural gas to Syria for electricity generation, using Egypt’s existing infrastructure, including floating regasification units as well as transmission networks.

A second deal relates to the export of petroleum products to help Syria meet energy demand, and could extend to co-operation on rebuilding the country’s energy infrastructure, drawing on Egypt’s technical expertise.

Syria’s electricity system has been badly damaged by nearly 14 years of civil war, leaving much of the national grid damaged, with power plants operating well below capacity and chronic fuel shortages that have forced widespread rationing and prolonged power cuts.

Energy officials from Egypt and Syria sign an initial agreement to boost co-operation in the sector. Wam

More than 70 per cent of power plants and transmission lines have sustained significant damage, and the nat