EGYPT - Abu Qir/Naf Fields.

Delta-related offshore fields at Abu Qir and Naf, near Alexandria, produce 480 MCF/d of gas and over 315 t/d of LPG. Their capacity was expanded in 1998. Their proven reserves were then estimated at 1.1 TCF. Abu Qir block is held by the oil producing Western Desert Petroleum Co. (WEPCO), a JV of EGPC and Repsol (which in 1998 got Phillips' equity and became operator. Abu Qir was the first gas field to be discovered in Egypt in 1965. Its output began to decline in 1993 from 170 MCF/d. West Abu Qir (N-E of Alexandria) was found in 1989 and North Abu Qir was found in 1990. North Abu Qir went on stream in Sept. 1992 at 60 MCF/d, later rising to 140 MCF/d, and had a proven reserve of 800 BCF. West Abu Qir went on stream in March 1994. Naf was found in 1998. Further exploration and development work at the fields are underway, with small gas discoveries made in recent years developed and linked to the system.