With output from its Mediterranean gas heartland down 25% over the past year alone, Cairo is desperate to reverse the trend. It is going double-or-quits on its current bid round: almost ‘open’ acreage offshore the Nile Delta is now on offer.

Cairo is attempting to meet energy demand on several fronts, namely through bid rounds, the import of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and by opening up the market for private firms to import natural gas. (CONTINUED - 1054 WORDS)