Shell has increased the amount of natural gas exported from its Idku liquefaction plant to 250 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscf/d), up from 150 mmscf/d in fiscal year (FY) 2016/17, an industry source told Al Borsa.

The Dutch oil giant’s ownership of the Idku plant has enabled it to export natural gas from its offshore Burullus and Rosetta fields.

Shell aims to export a liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo every 15 days based on the facility’s current liquefaction capacity, the source added.

The Ministry of Petroleum plans to operate the Idku plant at maximum capacity in order to export LNG to global markets by FY 2020/21.

Shell reached an agreement with the ministry to increase the amounts it liquefies to 250 mmscf/d in return for developing the 9B phase of the Burullus fields, as a way of paying for the operating costs.