Discussions to expand utilizing natural gas

Egypt's Prime Minister, Ahmed Nazif asserted the importance of expanding the utilizing of the natural gas in residential areas through supplying more than 6 million houses with natural gas to limit the consumption of butane gas and oil that are imported from abroad.

During a meeting held yesterday with Minister of Oil, Sameh Fahmy and Minister of Electricity, Hassan Younis, Nazif said that using natural gas domestically is necessary over the next period as the natural gas helps to protect environment.

The premier discussed with the ministers the best means to benefit from the natural gas both at local level and for exporting, said Magdy Radi, Cabinet's spokesman.

A feasibility study on the economic and technical advantages of using the natural gas in the domains of heavy industries and power stations is to be implemented, added Radi.

For his part, the minister of oil said that Egypt has witnessed a leap in the domain of prospecting gas and oil with gas reserves estimated at 37 trillion cubic feet to make Egypt's rank one of the first ten countries exporting natural gas in the world.