Virtual EastMed project shifts gas transport focus to Egypt

A new energy strategy dubbed the 'Virtual EastMed' is emerging as the primary method for transporting natural gas from the Eastern Mediterranean to Europe, prioritizing Cypriot gas fields and existing Egyptian infrastructure over the original long-distance pipeline project. The core of this initiative involves the Kronos field located in Block 6 of the Cypriot Exclusive Economic Zone.

Italian firm Eni and France's TotalEnergies are planning an investment between $100 and $120 million to construct a 40-kilometer onshore pipeline in Egypt. This infrastructure will connect the Zohr field processing facilities in Port Said to the Damietta liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2027, with an expected duration of 12 months following contract finalization. The process involves transporting gas via an underwater pipeline from Cyprus to the Zohr facility for initial processing before moving it to Damietta for liquefaction and export.

This shift effectively replaces the proposed 1,900–2,000 kilometer undersea pipeline connecting the Mediterranean directly to Greece with a more flexible LNG-based shipping model. If timelines are met, the first flow of Cypriot natural gas through this route is expected in 2028, significantly altering regional energy export dynamics.