Update Israel-Egypt Gas Flows: Added Info on Egypt LNG Exports and Ashkelon Restart

Israel’s pipeline natural gas flows to Egypt are expected to reach pre-war levels – 800mcm/d – by early next week, following the resumption of output of Chevron’s 10bcm/yr Tamar gas field according to a person familiar with Egyptian imports.

• Imports were recently at 350-400mcm/d and are expected to rise to 650mcm/d on Thursday.
• Chevron restarted to supply domestic customers in Israel and the region from its Tamar gas field on Monday, the firm said.
• The government requested from Chevron on 9 October to shut down the 10bcm/yr Tamar gas field amid safety concerns following the start of the conflict in Israel on 7 October.
• Egypt is using Israel’s pipeline gas imports to supply domestic customers and exports excess quantities as LNG, mostly during winter months. However, the reduction in flows and short complete halt of imports from Israel, paired with higher domestic demand due to unseasonably warm weather in Egypt has weighed on the country’s LNG exports. A ramp up in pipeline imports could support the country’s plans to resume LNG exports as of October.
• Eni said on Tuesday it expects Egyptian LNG exports to resume in December, possibly January, Cristian Signoretto, deputy COO of natural resources at Eni, said on Tuesday. Earlier this month, Eni’s CEO said the firm will be able to export LNG from Egypt in November, once domestic demand decreases.
• The Ashkelon pipeline from Israel to Gaza is also likely to resume this week, three people familiar with the operations said on Monday. The pipeline closed shortly after the shut down of the Tamar gas field and flows to Egypt have been redirected via the EMG pipeline through Jordan.