UPDATE 2-Melrose gets approval to develop Bulgarian gas field

* Says trying to ramp up gas projects in Bulgaria, Romania

* Sees Kavarna gas field beginning production by July 1

* Applies for developing Kaliakra field

* Sees first exploration in Egypt's Mesaha in late 2010

(Adds CEO quote)

Nov 6 (Reuters) - Oil and gas explorer Melrose Resources Plc (MRS.L) on Friday said it got approval from the Bulgarian government to develop the Kavarna gas field, which has estimated reserves of 24 billion cubic feet (bcf).

The company, which is trying to accelerate its gas projects in Bulgaria and Romania, expects the Kavarna field to be on stream by July 1, 2010.

Melrose also applied with the Bulgarian government for commercialisation of the Kaliakra field reserves of 57 bcf and sees gas production to begin by October next year.

Chief Executive David Thomas said, "We are also looking forward to an active near-term exploration programme in Egypt with some important wells to drill in the Nile Delta and 2-D seismic to acquire in the Mesaha block."

Melrose holds a 40 percent working interest in the Mesaha block and expects to spud the first exploration well in the region in late 2010.

The company's South Khilala field in Egypt, which has estimated reserves of 36 bcf, began production on Oct. 16.

Looking ahead to full-year results, Thomas told Reuters Melrose was on track to post improved results and slightly higher than expected production.

"A lot of that's to do with commodity pricing, coupled with our strong production performance," Thomas said, noting oil prices have improved. [OIL/]

He expects the company will exceed its full-year production forecast of 37.5 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (mboepd) because it will be producing a little additional gas from Western Dikirnis, in Egypt, in the last three months of the year.

Shares in the company closed at 334.30 pence Thursday on the London Stock Exchange. (Reporting by Aditi Samajpati in Bangalore; Editing by Maju Samuel)