Egypt has boosted its natural gas output to record 6.6 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d) upon the news that Eni had succeeded in boosting Zohr’s production to 2 bcf/d, an energy official told Reuters.

Minister of Petroleum Tarek El Molla said that the increase was thanks to the efforts of all oil and gas employees and government workers, Al Ahram reported.

Zohr’s total natural gas in place is estimated at around 850 billion cubic metres, which may double the country’s total gas reserves.

Eni, which started production at the Zohr field in December 2017, announced that the field’s output is set to plateau at 2.7 bcf/d in 2019.

Zohr’s production increased due to starting the fifth production unit (T4), which is supported by the eight gas producers as well as a new 218-km subsea pipeline.