Natural gas found in BP, ENI area off Egypt

CAIRO, March 18 (Reuters) - A natural gas find in an area controlled by BP (BP.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and a subsidiary of Italian firm ENI (ENI.MI: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) could hold one trillion square feet of reserves, the Egyptian state news agency MENA said.

BP and ENI subsidiary IEOC had bought rights to the eastern Mediterranean area where the gas was found 22,000 feet below sea level, Mahmoud Latif, chairman of state-owned Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company, was quoted by MENA on Monday.

BP and ENI officials could not immediately be reached for comment. The state news agency did not give further details. (Writing by Will Rasmussen)