Egypt, US Energy Ministers Review Joint Projects, Highlight Progress on Aphrodite Field Talks

Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi held high-level talks in Washington with U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright to review the progress of joint energy projects and explore ways to deepen bilateral cooperation across the sector.

The meeting, attended by Egypt’s Ambassador to the United States Motaz Zahran and delegations from both countries, underscored the strength and depth of longstanding Egyptian-American relations and the shared commitment to expanding cooperation in the energy domain.

Both sides emphasized the importance of sustained dialogue aimed at attracting increased U.S. investment, broadening areas of cooperation, and supporting efforts to enhance global and regional energy security. The talks also reaffirmed Egypt’s pivotal role as a regional hub for energy trading and distribution, leveraging its strategic location and advanced infrastructure.

The discussions reviewed ongoing cooperation between Egypt and major U.S. energy companies operating in the Egyptian market, including Apache, Chevron, and ExxonMobil, as well as collaboration in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector. Particular focus was placed on the progress of projects linking Cypriot offshore gas fields to Egypt’s infrastructure for transportation and re-export, initiatives viewed as mutually beneficial and supportive of regional energy security.

In this context, both ministers highlighted positive developments in negotiations related to the connection of Cyprus’s Aphrodite gas field, led by Chevron, to Egyptian facilities, signaling continued momentum in cross-border energy integration in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The talks also explored opportunities for cooperation in refining, petrochemicals, and value-added industries, with an emphasis on attracting American companies to invest in these areas in Egypt. Ongoing collaboration on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) was discussed, including a joint project with U.S.-based Honeywell.

Beyond hydrocarbons, the meeting addressed prospects for cooperation in renewable energy, carbon reduction technologies, and critical minerals and mining. The discussions reflected Egypt’s recent reforms and incentives aimed at transforming its mining sector and encouraging foreign investment. 

The two sides also examined ways to address European regulatory requirements related to the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), and to align Egypt’s value-added industries with global carbon footprint reduction standards.