(AFP) – British Gas has discovered two deposits of natural gas off the coast of the Gaza Strip that should be sufficient not only to supply the needs of Palestinians but permit a small amount for export.
The first deposit, in the north of the area, is 70 percent in Palestinian waters and 30 percent in Israeli waters, the second is entirely in Palestinian waters.
Abdelrahman Hamad, chairman of the Palestinian energy authority said that : "British Gas, which has been prospecting off Gaza for five months, has informed me of the discovery of two gas deposits." He added that after satisfying Palestinian demand for gas, there will also be a "small surplus for export,"
Production could begin at the end of 2002 or the beginning of 2003, but no estimates were given about the total size of the deposits or how long they would last.
© 2000 AFP
