Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El Molla discussed Egypt-USA cooperation with visiting Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM), Brad Crabtree, yesterday.  

The PetrolMin stressed the importance of partnering with the US within the framework of joint international initiatives to enhance cooperation and provide solutions and technology for methane reduction.

The meeting examined the current efforts between the two countries within international initiatives, such as the Methane Emissions Reduction Charter, zero emissions, and the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF) initiative for carbon removal.

Attending the meeting were Osama Mobarez, Secretary General of the EMGF, Ambassador John Desrocher, Acting US Ambassador to Cairo, and Alaa Hagar, Undersecretary of the Technical Office at the Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources.

El Molla also highlighted the importance of carbon collection, capture, and storage in the oil and gas industry, as well as exchanging experiences related to developing legislative frameworks for carbon collection and storage.

The minister affirmed that the Egyptian oil and gas sector, which has actively participated in the international zero-emissions initiative since the climate summit in Glasgow, is consistently making progress in reducing carbon emissions locally.

Crabtree expressed his country's appreciation for Egypt's efforts in reducing emissions in the oil and gas industry and its interest in joining the Global Methane Charter and the Zero Emissions Initiative.

He noted the ongoing cooperation with the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum, which serves as a vital regional platform for reducing methane emissions, with joint efforts with the forum yielding significant progress.

Crabtree also shared the US's willingness to provide support and cooperation in the field of carbon capture and storage, both technically and legislatively. He highlighted that collaboration in energy and climate projects presents an invaluable opportunity to foster stronger cooperation and integration among countries.