Egypt natgas supplies to Israel resume after blast
Reuters Tue, 28/02/2012 - 18:53
http://www.egyptindependent.com/node/686051

JERUSALEM — Natural gas supplies from Egypt to Israel resumed on Tuesday
after a pipeline explosion earlier this month halted delivery, a shareholder
in the consortium that exports the gas to Israel said.

Ampal-American Israel Corp said "it was advised that East Mediterranean Gas
Co (EMG), in which Ampal has a 12.5 percent interest, that gas supply to
EMG, and subsequently to EMG's Israeli customers has resumed today."

Saboteurs on 5 February blew up the Sinai pipeline in the 12th such attack
since the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak a year ago. Egypt's 20-year
gas deal with Israel, signed in the Mubarak era, is unpopular with some
Egyptians.

Security in Sinai loosened after Mubarak's fall as the police presence
thinned out across Egypt.

The gas disruptions have cost state-owned Israel Electric Corp, which has
had to switch to more expensive fuel to generate electricity and
subsequently increased electricity rates.

EMG is also 12.5 percent owned by Israel's Merhav. Other stakeholders
include Egyptian businessman Hussein Salem, the Egypt Natural Gas Co,
Thailand's PTT and U.S. businessman Sam Zell.