Terrorism: Natural Gas Explosion Highlights Egypt’s Energy Security Risks

A pipeline explosion cutting off natural gas supplies from Egypt to Israel and Jordan is believed to be terror-related

Mounting tensions in Egypt have escalated to frightful rioting as protestors and supporters of President Mubarek clash in the streets of Cairo and other major Egyptian cities. This has left a looming question mark as to the energy security in the region. Egypt is a major exporter of natural gas in North Africa and to the Middle East, with pipelines connecting various neighboring countries.

On Saturday, February 5, an explosion cut off distribution from a natural gas line in the Sinai region. The pipeline delivers gas to Israel and Jordan. Originally, government officials ruled the explosion an accident; however, new intelligence is reporting that the incident may have been a planned terrorist attack.

The guards on duty to protect the pipeline are now claiming that they were restrained by four masked gunmen who remotely detonated explosives—intentionally cutting off gas supplies to Egyptian neighbor countries.

Israel is dependant on Egyptian natural gas to help supplement upward of half of their electricity needs, and Jordan in response has, for the time being, converted their power plants to run on diesel and oil reserves. Egyptian officials are stating that the gas line will be repaired and operational within one week.

The security implications of the Egyptian riots are severe, especially in light of this terrorist attack. While motives are as of yet unknown, a history of tension between Israel and Egypt can be called into question. Was this attack carried out to intentionally cut off Israel’s energy supply during this chaotic window of opportunity? Was this a case of corporate sabotage? Perhaps it could have been some anti-Mubarek protestors trying to cut off the money-line that feeds the Egyptian government’s bank account. Little is known as to the extent of the investigation into the explosion, but chief investigator, Egyptian Judge Abdel Nasser el-Tayeb, is pursuing the case with diligence.

Source: http://www.energydigital.com