Eni on Wednesday revealed that this year, it will announce new development partners for Egypt’s Zohr discovery.

According to Eni’s Executive Vice President of the Middle East, Fuad Krekshi, interest has been received from numerous companies to help develop the discovery but the company’s main concern at the moment was the completion of the development plan to be presented to the Egyptian government.

The Zohr gas field includes an estimated 850 bcm or 5.5 billion boe in place. Eni expects first gas by the end of 2017 or early 2018.

However, Khaled Abubakr (photo), chairman of the Egyptian Gas Association, sees the discovery as a huge significance for the country which produces 43 bcm every year and imports gas. He is confident that this could change as more discoveries are expected on the horizon, the National news reports.

Anita Fatunji