A Report on the Environmental Concerns: Oil and Gas Industry in Egypt

This report delves into the environmental challenges faced by the oil and gas industry in Egypt. It highlights the use of fracking, its potential environmental impacts, and the associated risks, including soil and water contamination. The report emphasizes Egypt's vulnerability due to water scarcity and its reliance on the Nile. It also discusses the lack of stringent environmental regulations and the consequences of weak enforcement, leading to pollution and other environmental problems. The report references specific examples like the Dana Gas Project and highlights Egypt's ranking as one of the most polluted countries globally, underscoring the need for improved regulations, responsible industry practices, and environmental protection measures. The report also draws on information from sources like the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) and OPEC data to support its analysis.

Running head: OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY ISSUES IN EGYPT
OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY ISSUES IN EGYPT
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY ISSUES IN EGYPT
Egypt comprises the non-member state in the Organization of Oil Exporting Countries
(OPEC). It is the third largest producer of gas and fifth largest producer of oil in Africa1. Oil and
gas industries have used fracking to recover gas trapped deep in the earth by drilling. Fracking is
used to obtain fossil fuel reserves deep inside the earth’s surface. However, fracking wells can
cause severe damage to the environment. Various countries have opposed and even banned such
a hazardous practice.
Environmentalists have reported that drills break through the underground layers of dirt,
rocks, gases and water, resulting in benzene, methane and other chemicals seeping into the soil,
water and atmosphere. It is a threat for countries like Egypt, where there are severe water
scarcity and the sole source is Nile. Egypt is still looking to permanently ban fracking. Fracking
has become a problem, when companies do not use clean, proper materials and do not dispose
the wastes properly2.
Egypt does not have the necessary resources to monitor, carry out analysis and shut down
the companies that do not carry out responsible procedures. The Dana Gas Project in Kom
Ombo, situated beside the Nile river is an example of one such country. The weak enforcements
of regulations and the political disarray of Egypt can lead the companies to carry out procedures
that can give rise to significant environmental issues. In Egypt, environmental issues are taken
lightly and given low priority. Moreover, the presence of a weak legal framework also adds to
the problem.
1 Www.opec.org, 'OPEC : OPEC Share Of World Crude Oil Reserves' (Opec.org, 2017)
<http://www.opec.org/opec_web/en/data_graphs/330.htm> accessed 6 November 2017.
2 Janusz, Barbara D. "Groundswill." Alternatives Journal 41.2 (2015): 60-61.

2OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY ISSUES IN EGYPT
However, members of the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) believe that
various loopholes in the regulations are their main concern3. Egypt is the fifth polluted country in
the World and suffers from soil loss, poor water quality, waste management and air pollution. It
is necessary to ensure that oil and gas companies are responsible enough and are not involved in
exploiting the loopholes in the regulations.
3 Www.eeaa.gov.eg, 'Ministry Of Environment - EEAA > Home' (Eeaa.gov.eg, 2017) <http://www.eeaa.gov.eg/en-
us/home.aspx> accessed 6 November 2017.

3OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY ISSUES IN EGYPT
Janusz, Barbara D. "Groundswill." Alternatives Journal 41.2 (2015): 60-61.
Www.eeaa.gov.eg, 'Ministry Of Environment - EEAA > Home' (Eeaa.gov.eg, 2017)
<http://www.eeaa.gov.eg/en-us/home.aspx> accessed 6 November 2017
Www.opec.org, 'OPEC : OPEC Share Of World Crude Oil Reserves' (Opec.org, 2017)
<http://www.opec.org/opec_web/en/data_graphs/330.htm> accessed 6 November 2017