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CAIRO, May 26 (Reuters) - Egypt has extended its tender fornatural gas exploration in the Mediterranean Sea by two monthswith the addition of four new blocks, the state gas board saidon Tuesday, as the country seeks to boost domestic energyproduction.
The bidding period now runs to July 30 and will include 12offshore concessions instead of eight, the Egyptian Natural GasHolding Company (EGAS) said in a statement.
Egypt is going through its worst energy crisis in decades,with increasing consumption and declining production turning thecountry from a net energy exporter to a net importer over thepast few years.
The north African country has tried to tackle energyshortages by raising energy prices, building new power plants,importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) and encouraging moredomestic oil and gas production.
EGAS did not give any reason for the tender extension, butEgypt similar moves have been made in the past when there wasnot enough interest or when potential bidders requested moretime to complete evaluations.
The four additional blocks are Northeast Habi Marine, NorthFarma Marine, North Tabiya Marine and Northeast Amiriya Marine,EGAS said.
The original eight blocks are West Arish Marine, East PortSaid Marine, North Rumana Marine, North Ras al-Ash Marine, Westal-Timsah Marine, South Taneen Marine, North Hammad Marine andEast Alexandria Marine.
The twelve blocks together cover a total of 20,548 squarekilometres (7,934 square miles).
The foreign companies already exploring for oil and gas offEgypt's north coast include Italy's ENI and Britain'sBP and BG. (Reporting By Ehab Farouk; Writing by Shadi Bushra; Editing byDavid Goodman)
