Egypt and Chevron are advancing discussions aimed at accelerating agreements required to develop and export natural gas from Cyprus’s Aphrodite field, a move that could reinforce Egypt’s position as a key energy hub in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Karim Badawi, held talks via videoconference with Javier La Rosa, Chevron’s President for Base Assets and Emerging Countries, to review progress on the project and explore opportunities to expand cooperation in regional gas development.
According to a statement from Egypt’s petroleum ministry, the discussions focused on expediting the commercial and technical arrangements needed to link the Aphrodite gas field offshore Cyprus to Egypt’s existing gas infrastructure. The two sides also examined Chevron’s ongoing operations in Egypt and potential opportunities for additional natural gas exploration activities in the Mediterranean basin.
READ: Ethiopia, Djibouti, Dangote partner on US $660M fuel pipeline project
Aphrodite field
The Aphrodite field, located in Cyprus’s offshore Block 12 approximately 170 kilometres south of Limassol, is estimated to contain around 3.5 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of recoverable natural gas resources. Chevron operates the field in partnership with Shell and Israel-based NewMed Energy. Cypriot authorities approved an updated development plan for the project in February 2025.
The proposed scheme includes the installation of a floating production unit capable of processing about 800 million cubic feet of gas per day, alongside a subsea pipeline that will transport production to Egypt’s gas transmission network for processing and export.
The project forms part of broader efforts by Eastern Mediterranean countries to monetise offshore gas discoveries through shared infrastructure rather than developing standalone export facilities. Egypt, which already hosts liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals and an extensive gas transportation network, has been positioning itself as a regional energy gateway capable of handling gas supplies from neighbouring producing countries.
Under the current development timeline, the Aphrodite partners are targeting a final investment decision in 2027, with first gas production expected in 2031. Once operational, the field is expected to contribute to regional energy security, support Egypt’s gas processing and export ambitions, and strengthen energy cooperation between Egypt and Cyprus. The renewed engagement between Egypt and Chevron comes as countries across the Eastern Mediterranean seek to unlock new gas supplies amid growing demand for reliable energy sources and increased investment in cross-border energy infrastructure.
