1st phase of Zohr gas field about to be finished: Min.

CAIRO - 29 October 2017: The first phase of Zohr gas field in the Mediterranean sea is about to be finished, Petroleum Minister Tarek el-Molla said on Sunday.

"What has been done was scheduled," Molla said while inspecting the final preparations for the mega project, noting that an intensive program had been set for the implementation.

"There is constant follow-up from President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi and Prime Minister Sherif Ismail for major gas projects in general and the Zohr field in particular," he said.

The minister called on the companies operating in the project to exert further efforts during this stage to accelerate works and necessary steps to start production.

He also urged intensive follow-up for the final stages currently underway, said a press release issued by the petroleum ministry.

A high-profile team from Eni of Italy accompanied the minister during the inspection, noted the press release, which quoted Petropel chairman Atef Hassan as saying that pre-production tests are being conducted.

The tests followed the installment of equipment of the project's first stage, Hassan added.

The drilling operations of all wells in the mega field had been finished, he said.