Egypt’s petroleum minister has affirmed the key role of the state-owned Petroleum Pipelines Company (PPC) in enhancing Egypt’s position as a regional energy trading hub, citing its capacity to transport and store crude oil from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean.
Speaking at the company’s general assembly, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi said the ministry has a clear vision for developing and maximising the use of the PPC, which is responsible for managing and operating the networks that transport and distribute petroleum products across Egypt.
Badawi praised the efforts of the company’s employees in expanding the pipeline network to secure the flow of fuel supplies to citizens and various consumption sectors. He also stressed the importance of adhering to safety and occupational health standards and protecting the pipeline network as a top priority.
During the meeting, PPC Chairperson Haggag Rabie reviewed the company’s key projects, including the completion of an automated monitoring and control system (SCADA) to detect leaks early and protect the lines from encroachments and theft.
He also presented a package of projects implemented to replace, renew, and upgrade petroleum product transport lines nationwide, with a total cost of about EGP 3.3bn ($69m). A primary goal of these projects was to secure fuel supplies for power stations, the main consumers.
Rabie also detailed ongoing projects aimed at maximising Egypt’s role as a regional energy hub, including a crude oil and petroleum products storage terminal in Sokhna and a pipeline to transport petroleum products from the MIDOR refinery in Alexandria to the Hamra oil terminal in Alamein.
The general assembly was also attended by the Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Mahmoud Essmat, and the Minister of Local Development, Manal Awad.
