ROME: An Italian energy group said on Sunday it had discovered the largest known gas field in the Mediterranean off the Egyptian coast, predicting that the find could help meet Egypt’s gas needs for decades to come.

The Italian company said in a statement the offshore “Zohr” field could hold 30 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, covering an area of about 100 square kilometres.

“Zohr is the largest gas discovery ever made in Egypt and in the Mediterranean Sea and could become one of the world’s largest natural-gas finds,” it said, adding that it had full concession rights to the area.

The find represents a major boost for Egypt, where power cuts caused by gas and oil shortages have often fuelled unrest.

The Eni group said the discovery was located at a depth of 1,450 metres, adding that it planned to fast track development of the site, using existing infrastructure. It said yet more gas might be uncovered in future drilling.

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2015

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