CAIRO, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Oil Ministry said on Thursday that production from its large Zohr offshore gas field has risen by six times since its inauguration in January.

"The Zohr gas field now produces 2 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d), equivalent to approximately 365,000 barrels of oil," the ministry said in a statement.

Egyptian Oil Minister Tarek al-Molla added that "Zohr field production has hit a record high and this would contribute in achieving natural gas self-sufficiency in Egypt."

"This production level was made due to the commencement of the fifth production unit, supported by the eight gas producers and a new sea line commissioned last month," according to the Italian energy giant Eni.

Eni has invested 8.4 billion U.S. dollars in two gas fields, including Zohr, in Egypt.

The Zohr field, the largest natural gas discovery ever made in the Mediterranean, is located off Egypt's northern coast within the Shorouk block, some 190 km north of the Suez Canal city of Port Said.

The offshore field is aiming to attract about 10 billion dollars in foreign investment in the oil and gas sector in the fiscal year 2018-2019 that begins in July, the statement added.

Field production is expected to rise to 2.7 bcf/d by the end of 2019, transforming Egypt into a regional power hub.