(Corrects to add reference to BASF in second paragraph, alsoadds code for BP and repeats to additional Reuters clients)
DOHA, March 10 (Reuters) - Qatar has discovered a smalloffshore field containing about 2.5 trillion cubic feet (tcf) ofnatural gas, the country's first gas find since 1971, its energyminister said on Sunday.
The discovery was made at the 4-North offshore block nearQatar's massive North Field by a consortium which includesGermany's Wintershall (part of BASF ) and Japan'sMitsui, Qatari energy minister Mohammed al-Sada told a newsconference in Doha.
Qatar's North Field is the world's largest non-associatedgas field, containing nearly 900 tcf, and the new findrepresents just 0.28 percent of the country's proven reserves.
"Though this amount is relatively small in comparison to theNorth Field, it signifies our commitment to continuing ourexploration activities. We currently have six active explorationblocks, and we are intensifying our exploration efforts," Sadasaid.
"We will look at options including the possibility of usingthe gas at one of our existing facilities, which would make theproject highly profitable," Sada said.
According to the latest BP Statistical review,Qatar's proved gas reserves stood at 884.5 tcf, or around 12percent of global gas reserves, at the end of 2011. (Reporting By Regan Doherty, editing by Daniel Fineren)