UPDATE 2-Dana Gas posts Q3 loss on provisions, write-offs

* Third-quarter net loss 79 million dirhams

* Revenue up 12 percent at 359 mln dirhams (Adds comments by CFO, analyst; more details)

By Stanley Carvalho

ABU DHABI, Nov 12 (Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates' Dana Gas DANA.AD said on Thursday it made a net loss of 79 million dirhams ($21.5) in the third quarter due to exploration write-offs and impairment provisions.

The Abu Dhabi-listed firm posted a net profit of 26 million dirhams in the third quarter of 2008.

"Exploration write-offs and impairment provisions, principally in respect of three wells in the Egyptian exploration programme, were required totalling 110 million dirhams," Dana said in a statement.

"As a result, the company incurred a net loss of 79 million dirhams in the third quarter."

The Gulf's only listed natural gas company made a net profit of 281 million dirhams in the first nine months of the year, up from 85 million dirhams in the same period last year, it said.

"Prices were lower this year but it was offset by the increase in production," Dana Gas, chief financial officer James Dewar told Reuters by phone.