A feasibility study is currently underway that may see an expansion of Bahrain's natural gas production facilities, a top official has said.

Talking to the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication, on the sidelines of the Meed Bahrain Energy Conference 2014, Banagas chief executive Dr Shaikh Mohammed Al Khalifa said the study is likely to be completed by June and is looking at the economic viability of a third processing train.

Tatweer Petroleum has some extra gas and additional natural gas is expected from the Bahrain Field which could support the expansion project, he said.

"We are estimating that we will get around 8,000 barrels per day of associated gas, which we could include in the natural gas distribution network, use for on-site electricity generation, reinject for enhanced oil recovery, or use as feedstock for the petrochemical industry," he said.

Dr Shaikh Mohammed said associated gas is a form of natural gas which is found with deposits of petroleum, either dissolved in the oil or as a free "gas cap" above the oil in the reservoir.

The project would be executed and managed by Banagas' fully owned subsidiary Bahrain National Gas Expansion Company (BNGEC).

BNGEC was incorporated in 2008 when the new Banagas Expansion Project processing train was converted into an independent company.

It was established to meet the growing associated gas production in line with the strategies to enhance oil production from Bahrain fields.

Most of the propane, butane and naphtha processed by Banagas from the Bahrain Field is exported. Residual gases, such as methane and ethane, are used by domestic industry and for power production, he said. – TradeArabia News Service