Large natural gas discoveries in the Eastern Mediterranean—including Egypt's Zohr field, Israeli fields Tamar and Leviathan, and Cypriot fields Aphrodite, Glaucus and Cronos—have given the region a substantial resource base. Yet Egypt holds a pivotal position because its Idku and Damietta liquefaction plants are the only large-scale export facilities in the basin.
Israel already sends gas to Egypt by pipeline. An investment decision on the Cypriot Cronos field in July 2026 envisages moving that gas through Egyptian infrastructure for export beginning in 2028. The region could help Europe diversify away from Russian gas supplies, but only through reliable production, secure pipelines and viable export contracts.
Political constraints continue to limit the potential of the discoveries to translate into energy security.
