Production at Saudi Arabia's 500,000 bpd Khursaniyah oilfield may be delayed beyond the first half of this year, a Saudi newspaper reported on Saturday.

"The oil field may start pumping limited quantities in May but it will not be able to meet the announced production capacity since the gas plant has not been completed yet," Al Watan newspaper said, quoting an unnamed oil industry source.

"The project's completion might be delayed to beyond the first half of this year," the source added. State oil firm Aramco is sticking to the latest schedule as announced by senior executive Khalid Al Buainain on February 18, a company spokesman said when asked to comment the report.

Buainain said then that the oilfield would start producing 500,000 barrels per day within two months.-Reuters