Minister of Petroleum Sherif Ismail said Egypt will need 45 to 50 gas consignments during the period from March till the end of 2015, noting that an agreement was reached with his Algerian counterpart and Algeria's Sonatrach Group to deliver six consignments soon.
In statements to MENA correspondent here, Ismail said he has agreed with Sonatrach on increasing the number of gas consignments in the coming phase as Algeria is one of the biggest exporters of liquified gas in the world.
He pointed out that Egypt is looking forward to boosting relations with Algeria in view of the well-established relations binding the two countries.
He said the oil ministry has received six international offers to receive gas consignments. The beginning of importing liquefied gas will be from Algeria upon an agreement clinched on Monday between Egypt's EGAS and Algeria's Sonatrach.
The minister voiced hope for increasing the amounts of imported gas from Algeria through negotiations that will kick off in the third week of January.