The Hague-based LNG giant Shell is looking to up exports of liquefied natural gas from Egypt’s Idku facility as production ramps up from the West Delta field. 

Speaking to the media, Shell’s country chairman Gasser Hanter said the Idku facility shipped a total of 12 cargoes in 2018 and hopes to go over that figure in 2019, Reuters reports.

The facility is currently producing about 200-300 million cubic feet of LNG per day which is below volumes required to run both liquefaction trains.

The company is expecting to complete the West Delta Deep Marine field phase 9B by the end of the year.

He added that the company has won additional exploration licenses in Egypt in the latest bidding round. Shell secured five concessions out of a total of 12 on offer.

Gasser said the new concessions are in close proximity to Shell’s existing infrastructure which would enable the company to monetize the volumes more quickly.