Mid East's first private gas field goes on stream

The first and largest regional private sector natural gas company in the Middle East, Dana Gas, has announced its first production from Al Basant discovery in the West Manzala Concession in the Nile Delta region of Egypt.

The Al Basant-1 well was discovered in October 2008 and was tested at a rate of 23.5 million standard cubic feet per day mmscfd gas and a 1,027 barrels per day condensate.

The Al Basant-2 appraisal well was completed and tested in December 2008. An additional gas was discovered in a new zone which tested at 10.5 mmscfd gas and 150 barrels per day condensate.

Al Basant field gas reserves are currently estimated to exceed 123 billion cubic feet BCF. By the year end, a third well in the field is estimated to produce 45 mmscfd gas.

The Al Basant gas production is transported to El Wastani (EW), an integrated gas plant with a capacity of 160 mmscfd and 7500 bpd of condensate and LPG.

The El Wastani plant is currently operating at 153 mmscfd gas and 5400 bpd of condensate and LPG.