Two blasts hit gas pipeline between Egypt, Jordan, Israel

Pipeline's shut down after saboteurs cause 7th explosion of year; "attackers used 2 trucks," says Egypt security official.

By REUTERS
gas pipeline 311 R (photo credit: REUTERS)
gas pipeline 311 R
(photo credit: REUTERS)
CAIRO - Saboteurs blew up the gas pipeline between Egypt, Israel and Jordan on Thursday morning in Northern Sinai using remote controlled explosive bombs forcing a shutdown in the flow of gas, Egyptian security sources said.
The blast, the seventh this year and the first since pumping was resumed on 24 October, was near Mazar area, 30 km (18 miles) west of the town of Al-Arish.
RELATED:Sinai gas pipeline hit for fourth time this yearElBaradei calls for big-tent coalition including Islamists'At least 231 people injured in Cairo demonstrations'Witnesses saw a second, smaller explosion west of Al-Arish near a pumping station, state news agency MENA reported. The report said it was not clear whether any damage was done. The explosions are the first since pumping resumed on Oct. 24.
"Primary examination showed that Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) were put under the pipeline and were detonated from a distance," a security source told Reuters.
"The attackers used two trucks and extended wires were found at the scene," he added.
Residents in Al-Arish told Reuters that flames could be seen from the town. Witnesses told MENA security forces and fire fighters had controlled the fire.
The pipeline has been a target for attacks by anonymous saboteurs since the overthrow of Mubarak in February, although the first pipeline attack took place days before he was ousted by an uprising.
Egypt and Israel have signed a 20-year natural gas deal by which Egypt would export gas to its neighbour. The deal was unpopular with the Egyptian public and critics argued the Jewish state had been offered gas at prices that were too low.
A company official from East Mediterranean Gas Co (EMG), which exports Egyptian gas to Israel, had said in July that international shareholders in the firm were pursuing legal claims against Egypt for $8 billion in damages from contract violations in gas supplies. That followed disruptions caused by pipeline attacks.
Egypt doubled the price of gas exported to Jordan last month. The government was under pressure to charge Israel and Jordan more for gas exports because those fixed under Mubarak were seen as below market rates.
Petroleum Minister Abdullah Ghorab said the new price for gas exported to Jordan was just above $5 per million BTU, compared to the previous price of $2.15 to $2.30.
The Egyptian government said this month it would tighten security measures along the pipeline by installing alarm devices and appointing security patrols from local Bedouin tribes.
Previous explosions have closed the pipeline, run by Gasco, Egypt's gas transport company - a subsidiary of the national gas company EGAS, for weeks.