associate gas increased by 54 trillion cubic feet over the last ten years, bringing to 97 trillion cu. ft. the Kingdom's total non-associate gas reserves. This led to a total of associate and non-associate gas reserves of 237 cu. ft, making the Kingdom the world's fourth gas producer. On gas exploration, the minister said four agreements with giant gas exploring companies were recently signed. They were granted concessions in the empty quarter area, he said. The minister disclosed that work is currently underway to exploit phosphate ore, natural gas and sulfur in the northern parts of the country, a giant step expected to boost the Saudi economy. --More 2340 Local Time 2040 GMT
