The Khazzan start-up marks the entry of the Gulf into BP’s gas production portfolio. BP Mena gas output has been on a downwards trend in recent years thanks to high decline rates in Egypt. The UK major’s net regional output averaged 513mn cfd last year, equivalent to just 8.9% of its global gas production.

BP’s 60% stake at Khazzan ought to net the firm up to 600mn cfd, more than doubling its Mena portfolio. Moreover, Egyptian output is rising this year with the start-up in March of the 700mn cfd Phase 1 of the West Nile Delta (WND) project (MEES, 12 March). The 500mn cfd Phase 2 is due online by end-2018, while the giant Zohr field (BP 10%) is scheduled to start-up in December with initial volumes of 500mn cfd. (CONTINUED - 254 WORDS)