Contacts with Egypt are underway to resume the pumping of natural gas into Jordan, said Farouq al-Hiyari, Jordanian Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.
Hiyari said Thursday in a statement to Jordanian newspaper Al-Dostour that “we understand the situation in Egypt,” adding that the date for resuming gas shipments cannot be specified. He expressed hope that it would be soon.
"Our brothers in Egypt told us on Sept 27, after the last explosion to the pipeline… that it would take two weeks to repair," he said.
The pipeline exploded in al-Arish on Sept 27, thereby resulting in the cut-off of Egyptian gas exports to Jordan.
The agreement to provide Jordan with Egyptian gas was signed in 2004. The deal was to last for 15 years, and includes providing 2.4 billion cubic meters, enough to cover 80% of Jordan’s electricity needs.
A new treaty increasing gas prices was recently endorsed by the Jordanian cabinet and awaits approval by the Egyptian government.
