Egypt's EGAS expects delay in gas import terminal -source

Egypt expects a delay in the delivery of an import terminal for liquefied natural gas (LNG), a plant that is expected to help it combat the worst energy crisis in years, a source at Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) said on Sunday.

Egypt can export LNG but cannot import it without installing the terminal. Meanwhile, its worsening gas shortage has caused power cuts that are becoming more acute as people switch on air conditioning units against the sweltering summer heat.

Egypt's oil ministry and Norway's Hoegh LNG said in May they had agreed for Egypt to use one of Hoegh's Floating Storage and Regasification Units (FSRU) for five years and that the terminal would be in place by September.

"We haven't yet reached a final agreement with Hoegh. The terminal will not arrive in September as had been announced before. It will arrive in October or November," the source, who has direct knowledge of the matter, told Reuters by telephone.