Eastern Mediterranean could strengthen gas diversification — Cyprus Mail
In Cyprus, gas fields could become an additional source of supply for the energy system of the Eastern Mediterranean, where Egypt is becoming increasingly dependent on Israeli gas and imported liquefied natural gas. As Cyprus Mail reports, the region's strategic value lies primarily in the ability to combine alternative suppliers, routes and infrastructure amid geopolitical disruptions.
The publication notes that the energy market is moving from a “just-in-time” supply model focused on minimal costs and inventories to a “just-in-case” approach. Under this approach, the ability to quickly change suppliers, routes, infrastructure and contract terms becomes important, even if alternatives cost more under normal conditions.
Egypt as a gas hub
Egypt is the central link in the system taking shape in the Eastern Mediterranean. Gas production in the country, according to the data cited, peaked at 67.8 billion cubic meters in 2021, but fell to 40.8 billion cubic meters by 2025. At the same time, consumption amounted to 61.5 billion cubic meters, increasing Egypt's dependence on Israeli pipeline gas and imported LNG.
Israel supplied Egypt with about 10 billion cubic meters of gas in 2025. The planned expansion of supplies could potentially double these volumes by around 2030. However, supply disruptions during conflicts, the publication notes, demonstrated the risks of excessive dependence on a single source.
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The role of Cyprus and LNG
The Kronos field is being developed using existing Egyptian infrastructure, with Aphrodite potentially next. Volumes of Cypriot gas are not large on a global scale, but they create another supply option for the region. The system could combine Egypt's own production, Israeli pipeline gas, Cypriot resources and imported LNG.
Europe, after losing most of its Russian pipeline gas in 2022, also diversified supplies: it increased the role of LNG and renewable energy, expanded regasification capacity, increased purchases of pipeline gas from Norway and other countries, and raised the importance of gas storage facilities. At the same time, greater dependence on LNG means that disruptions in the Middle East may affect European prices even if infrastructure in Europe operates steadily.
Freeman Shaheen, president of Chevron's global gas division, linked recent market disruptions to the need to diversify both gas sources and contractual mechanisms. Chevron plans to increase its global LNG supply portfolio to about 20 million tonnes per year and is considering opportunities from Argentina to the Mediterranean, Australia and Africa.
