Eni signs agreements for two offshore exploration blocks in Egypt

MILAN, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Italian oil and gas major Eni said on Wednesday it had signed concession agreementsto explore two new blocks in the Egyptian Mediterranean, furtherstrengthening its position in the country.

Last Friday Eni said it had signed an agreement to operate ablock in the western desert of Egypt.

State-controlled Eni said in a statement the two new blockswere North Leil and Karawan, both located in the deepwaterMediterranean offshore.

Eni owns all of North Leil and 50 percent of Karawan whereit partners with BP. (Reporting by Stephen Jewkes; editing by Agnieszka Flak)