WESTERN ENERGY MAJORS UPBEAT ON SAUDI GAS DEAL

ABU DHABI [MENL] -- Western energy majors remain upbeat over the prospect ofobtaining a $30 billion natural gas project in Saudi Arabia. Industry executives said despite a delay of nearly two years Riyad ismoving closer to an agreement with eight major energy firms to explore anddevelop Saudi Arabia's gas reserves. The executives said they expect tocomplete the deal later this year.