Egypt's Khalda Petroleum Company has started production from the South (NUT-1) gas well in the Western Desert, with output of 50 million cubic feet per day, the petroleum ministry said Monday. The ministry said the launch underscores the success of incentive packages aimed at encouraging foreign partners to boost exploration and production, and the deployment of new technology that monitors reservoir pressure and temperature in real time to improve field performance. Khalda, a joint venture between Egypt's state-owned EGPC and U.S.-based Apache, has added more than 200 million cubic feet per day of gas output in less than a year since signing a joint investment agreement, according to the ministry. The ministry said the additional production is equivalent to two monthly liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes, helping Egypt cut its import bill and strengthen domestic supply. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: Y.Yasser
