INA said that after obtaining all the necessary permits from its partner and the Egyptian authorities the oil field would be put into operation in the course of this year and that production would be in full swing by 2010.
The Croatian company has invested about USD15 million in the East Yidma project, and expects to pump about 3,000 barrels of high-quality light oil free of sulphur a day.
INA said that the discovery crowned its long-time presence in Egypt, where it is a partner in several exploratory and production concessions.