Petroleum Minister highlights refining, transport upgrades to secure energy supplies
Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi affirmed that upgrading infrastructure in the petroleum sector represents a key pillar to bolster energy security and support Egyptian economic competitiveness, noting that upgrading refineries, improving crude and petroleum product transport networks, and expanding storage capacities top sector priorities in the coming period. Badawi spoke…
Egypt's Petroleum Minister Karim Badawi emphasized infrastructure upgrades as crucial for enhancing energy security and economic competitiveness. He outlined key priorities including refining upgrades, improved transport networks for crude and petroleum products, and expanded storage capacities. The minister spoke at the general assembly of the Petroleum Pipelines Company and Assiut Oil Refining Company to review fiscal year 2025/2026 financial results.
The assembly included officials from the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Local Development and Environment, Investment and Foreign Trade, and Industry. Badawi stressed that upgrading refineries and transport infrastructure maximizes the value of Egypt's petroleum resources, increases product value, and improves distribution efficiency, strengthening Egypt's role as a regional energy hub.
Coordination between the petroleum and electricity ministries ensured fuel supplies for power stations, preserving grid stability during peak summer demand. Both sectors play a vital role in refining crude, transporting products nationwide, and fueling power stations to sustain operations. Badawi highlighted the importance of enhancing refineries as a strategic priority, alongside ongoing expansion projects to optimize crude production and produce higher-value petroleum products.
The minister urged accelerating refinery expansions to meet local market demand and reduce the production-consumption gap. He also stressed that occupational health and safety is a shared responsibility across all employees and leadership, with compliance and expanded training programs to protect personnel. Minister of Electricity Mahmoud Esmat praised the petroleum sector's efforts in supplying power generation plants, noting that sustained coordination stabilized the grid during peak loads exceeding 40,000 MW.
At the Petroleum Pipelines Company meeting, Chairman Haggag Rabie Keilany reported meeting transport plans and securing fuel for power plants. Key infrastructure projects include expanding the Sokhna terminal, renewing the Port Said-Abu Sultan-Suez pipeline, and building the MIDOR-Hamra line. Badawi directed company leaders to draft an integrated five-year plan to upgrade transport infrastructure and maximize operational efficiency.
At Assiut Oil Refining Company, Chairman Issa Abdel Aal reported a nearly 3 billion dollar output, refining 3.314 million tons of crude. High-value products accounted for 57% of output, with plans to double refining capacity to 9.5 million tons annually through the construction of a third distillation unit. The company's operations maximized middle distillates, with significant production of LPG, gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel.
Badawi commended the company for employing 95% of its workforce from Upper Egypt, emphasizing its role in regional development and job creation. The ministry also highlighted the company's social responsibility initiatives, including qualifying 400 university students and graduates for freelance digital work and equipping healthcare facilities in Sohag.
Written by urgent.news from Egypt Independent's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
