Badawi: Eni and Total's announcement to link the Kronos field to Egyptian infrastructure marks a turning point
Cairo - Nadeh Imam
Eng. Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, affirmed that the announcement yesterday by the alliance of Italian company Eni and French company TotalEnergies of taking the Final Investment Decision (FID) to develop the Cypriot gas field "Cronos" and connect it to Egyptian infrastructure represents a milestone in the trajectory of Egyptian-Cypriot cooperation in the field of natural gas. It marks a new practical step to consolidate Egypt’s role as a regional hub for gas trading and trading, and as a key gateway for re-exporting Cypriot gas via Egyptian infrastructure to global markets.
The minister explained that the decision reflects the high confidence that major global energy companies place in Egyptian infrastructure. He added that the Cronos project embodies an advanced model of regional integration, as the gas produced from the Cypriot field will be transported to Egypt to utilize existing facilities for gas processing through the "Zohr" field facilities, followed by liquefaction at the Damietta plant, before being re-exported to European markets. This will generate added value for all parties and enhance regional and international energy security.
He noted that reaching the Final Investment Decision was the culmination of close cooperation between Egypt, Cyprus, and their partners from global companies, under the continuous support and follow-up of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides. This contributed to accelerating the project’s implementation procedures, as it is the first project to directly link Cypriot discoveries to Egyptian infrastructure, opening the door to new phases for developing gas resources in the Eastern Mediterranean.
According to a statement issued by the ministry, the choice of Egypt to receive, process, and liquefy Cypriot gas reflects its technical, operational, and advanced infrastructure capabilities. It confirms that Egypt has become the most prepared and efficient partner for developing gas reserves in the region, ensuring maximum utilization of national assets, increasing their utilization rates, and achieving sustainable economic returns for the state.
He stated that the ministry continues to implement its strategy to attract more investments, accelerate the development of new discoveries, and maximize the added value of Egyptian infrastructure. This will enhance Egypt’s competitiveness as a regional energy hub and achieve maximum economic benefit from the region’s gas resources.
The statement pointed out that the Final Investment Decision for the Cronos project comes after completing agreements regarding the use of Egyptian infrastructure for gas processing and liquefaction. Production is expected to begin in 2028, supporting the sustainable operation of Egyptian gas facilities and enhancing their role as a key center for receiving, processing, liquefying, and exporting gas from the Eastern Mediterranean.
