Egypt's gas gold rush

February's oil and gas conference in Cairo attracted firms from around the world for one simple reason: Egypt's gas sector is booming

Hot on the heels of the Zohr offshore gas field — the biggest in the Mediterranean — coming on stream in record time in December 2017, there are rumours of still greater reserves at another offshore field, Nour, scouted by Italy's Eni last summer. International oil companies (IOCs) continue announcing new finds, while Egypt used the conference and exhibition EGYPS to unveil a dozen exploration licences, its largest ever auction. Consultancy Wood Mackenzie calls it "Egypt's astonishing gas renaissance", estimating there is 61tn ft³ of gas reserves in existing fields with another 45tn ft³ waiting to be found. Egyptians are adjusting to the new reality of their country, once an energy backwater