Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi approved on July 5 a grant agreement worth $959,000 with the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to develop a roadmap for reducing methane emissions in Egypt, Al Mal reported. 

The agreement, initially signed in December last year, was made between the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) and USTDA. It is part of Egypt’s broader efforts to implement concrete steps toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting environmental sustainability in the energy industry.

The project, implemented by IHS Global (a subsidiary of S&P Global), will map major methane emission sources, identify US technology providers, prioritise methane mitigation projects, and explore monetisation pathways for captured gas. 

The approval is granted with a reservation subject to ratification, meaning the agreement will only be fully effective after official confirmation by the relevant Egyptian authorities.

The roadmap will identify methane emission levels in the petroleum sector and set specific reduction targets and a clear timeline for achieving them. Two priority projects will be selected for immediate implementation to reduce methane emissions. The agreement also includes the preparation of proposed legislation or internal policies aimed at cutting methane emissions within the petroleum sector. 

Despite Egypt’s involvement in methane reduction initiatives at COP27/28, there is still a lack of mandatory leak monitoring, standardised measurement equipment, and accredited personnel