The Jordanian government has agreed to reopen its natural- gas contract with
Egypt and to pay a higher price, Egyptian newspaper
Al-Mal reported
Thursday.
Israel has a similar gas contract with Egypt, and there have
been several reports in the Egyptian media that the Egyptian government wants to
double the price of gas it sells to Israel. The agreement with Jordan could put
pressure on Israel to agree to a substantial price hike, Al-Mal said.
The
report quoted Prime Minister Essam Sharaf as saying he hopes to boost revenue
from natural-gas sales by $3 billion to $4b.
It also quoted Egyptian
Natural Gas Holding Company chairman Hassan al-Mahdy as saying the Jordanian
government had agreed to adjust the price it pays for its gas under a 2004
agreement.
Egypt said last month it would review its gas contracts with
other states, including Israel and Jordan, amid accusations the government of
former president Hosni Mubarak had improperly negotiated the sale of gas at
preferential prices. Egypt’s public prosecutor ordered former energy minister
Sameh Fahmy and five other senior energy officials detained for questioning over
the Israel gas deal.
East Mediterranean Gas Company supplies 40 percent
of Israel’s gas needs.
Yossi Maiman owns 20.6% of EMG through Ampal-
American Israel Corporation and his private company Merhav Ltd.