Saudi Arabia draws up plan for gas exploration

The announcement comes after the recent discovery of gas wells in Tabuk province near the Red Sea, Xinhua quoted the Saudi news agency as saying.

Seven wells will be drilled in deep and shallow waters in the first phase, said Khalid Al Faleh, chairman of the Saudi oil company Aramco.

Petroleum Minister Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Naimi said gas from the new wells will be allocated for domestic consumption.