Gas
Eni starts gas projects in Egypt and Libya
Italian energy company Eni has initiated new operations at the Meleiha phase 2 development in Egypt and the Bouri gas scheme in Libya to boost domestic supplies.
Key points
- Eni launched start-up procedures for the Meleiha phase 2 facility in the Egyptian desert.
- The North African project aims to handle large volumes of daily natural gas output.
- In Libya, Eni commenced operations at the Bouri field to lower flaring and emissions.
- Recovered gas from Bouri will supply local power plants and European markets.
What happened
According to Rigzone, Italian energy firm Eni SpA has initiated start-up procedures for the Meleiha phase 2 project located in Egypt's Western Desert. The infrastructure is engineered to manage a daily capacity of 100 million cubic feet of natural gas. The development incorporates new wells, gathering pipelines, and a dedicated export route designed to integrate production into the national gas grid.
Eni holds a leading position as an energy producer in Egypt, reporting equity hydrocarbon output of roughly 242,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day during the previous year. The Merged Meleiha concession operates under an agreement running through 2036, with provisions for a potential extension to 2041. Agiba Petroleum Co, a joint venture between Eni and the state-owned Egyptian General Petroleum Corp, holds a 76 percent stake, while Russia's PJSC Lukoil owns the remaining share.
Concurrently, Eni commenced activities at the Bouri Gas Utilization Project in the Mediterranean Sea offshore Libya. The initiative captures gas that would otherwise be flared, aiming to cut greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 1.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. Captured volumes will serve domestic electricity generation while also providing additional supplies for export to Europe via the GreenStream pipeline. Eni operates the Bouri field with a 30 percent interest, alongside Libya's National Oil Corp, which holds 70 percent.
Why it matters
These developments highlight ongoing strategic investments in North Africa's hydrocarbon sector aimed at optimizing existing assets and expanding domestic energy supplies. For energy investors and policymakers across the continent, projects that capture flared gas demonstrate a growing operational focus on reducing environmental footprints while simultaneously addressing local electricity demands. According to World Bank figures from 2024, Egypt achieved full electricity access for its population, with a per capita consumption rate of 1,555.4 kilowatt-hours. Integrating new gas processing facilities into established networks helps maintain grid stability and supports broader industrial requirements across the region.
Original reporting
This article draws on the following reports. Read them in full on the publishers’ sites.
Context from CEII
Gas is the flexible backbone of many grids and the designated transition fuel in many national plans, from LNG trade to domestic LPG and CNG. Supply security and pricing drive both power reliability and emissions.
76.9% of electricity in Egypt came from gas in 2024Countries in this story
Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
