24-06-08 Energy company Petro-Tech said it found an "important" natural gas field in Peru, which is trying to become energy self-sufficient.
The discovery was found in lot Z-2B, some 5 miles (7.5 km) off the northern coast in Piura, the company said. The find is near the firm's San Pedro field, discovered in 2005.

Between the two fields, the company estimates reserves of up to 1.2 tcf, but a spokesperson could not clarify which part of the reserve was constituted by the new find. Petro-Tech said development of the two fields could cost up to $ 120 mm.
The Andean country's proven gas reserves of 13.4 tcf are expected to rise as energy companies explore nationwide.

In April, Petro-Tech found an oil reserve of 1.13 bn barrels, also in northern Peru.
Peru, a net oil importer, hopes to become a net exporter in 2010. It produced 41.6 mm barrels of crude oil last year.