Oct 8 (Reuters) - Oil and gas firm APA Corp ( APA ) said

on Wednesday it cut about 20 million of cubic feet per day

(MMcfpd) of U.S. natural gas production and 1,400 barrels per

day of U.S. natural gas liquids production in the third quarter

due to weak prices.

APA said net debt and free cash flow came in lower than

expected, following third-quarter payments from the Egyptian

General Petroleum Corporation and subsequent partner

distributions totaling $173 million.

The company expects third-quarter average realized

natural gas prices in the U.S. to be 70 cents per thousand cubic

feet (Mcf) and $4.20 per Mcf globally.

APA

had curtailed

10 MMcfpd of U.S. natural gas production and 750 bpd of

natural gas liquids in the second quarter.