(Corrects name and title of Shell executive in paragraph 2)
CAIRO, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Royal Dutch Shell announced on Wednesday new natural gas discoveries in aconcession area of north Alam El-Shawish in Egypt's westerndesert.
The initial quantities discovered were estimated at abouthalf a trillion cubic feet of gas with more possible reserves, Aidan Murphy, country chairman and managing director, ShellEgypt, said in a statement.
The discovery could produce from 10 to 15 percent of thetotal production of Badr el-Din Petroleum company, which is ajoint venture acting on behalf of the state-owned EgyptianGeneral Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) and Shell in productionoperations, Murphy added.
Shell owns the license of the entire area, which includesthe well. Badr el-Din is expected to manage the operations. (Reporting by Alaa Roushdy; Editing by Ruth Pitchford andAdrian Croft)