Iran’s boycott of Marib gas reduces its prices in the capital, Aden, by 45%

English - Monday 29 May 2023 الساعة 03:44 pm
Aden, NewsYemen, exclusive:

The price of domestic gas in the local market in the capital, Aden, at the filling stations, recorded a record low, reaching its lowest level in 3 years. The price of a 20-liter gas cylinder reached 9,000 riyals, down from 16,500 riyals, the price in late April.

Market participants attributed the decrease in the price of filling gas cylinders in the local market in the capital, Aden, to the availability of supply of quantities of gas trailers, after the Houthi militia - the Iranian arm in Yemen - boycotted the purchase of domestic gas from Marib.

While the price of domestic gas maintained its levels in sales outlets through Oqal Al-Harat in the districts of the capital, Aden, between 6,000 and 7,000 riyals per 20-liter cylinder.

According to the statement of the Joint Gas Operations Chamber in the governorates of the Republic of Yemen, "More than two weeks ago, the Houthi militia closed the land entrances to the governorates and cities under its control. It prevented the entry of trailers loaded with domestic gas from Safer (Marib) through the entrances to Al-Jawf Governorate."

According to the available data, the production of liquefied petroleum gas "cooking gas" from Safer in Marib amounts to 75 gas trucks on a daily basis, each of which carries 2,200 gas cylinders, with a total of 165,000 cylinders.

About 70% of the total daily LPG production in Safer Marib, about 115,500 gas cylinders, are transported by truck to the areas controlled by the Houthis, and 30% (49,500 gas cylinders) are sent to the areas of the legitimate government.

The Yemeni Gas Company stated that the Houthi militia replaced local gas, which is sold to citizens in the governorates under its control, at a price of 4,500 Yemeni riyals per cylinder, with gas imported through the port of Hodeidah, and this gas is sold to agents at a price of 7,200 Yemeni riyals per cylinder.

The Houthi militia's move comes within the framework of its strategies to escalate the economic war and cut off government oil and gas revenues, by stopping foreign and domestic export shipments.

According to the data of the Red Sea Ports Corporation for the movement of ships in the port of Hodeidah on Saturday, May 27, there are two ships loaded with gas, one is anchored at the port's docks, and the second is waiting in the draft to dock, which confirms the Houthi militia's dependence on imported gas instead of local, at double the price.