Total (LSE:TTA) and one of Africa’s newest oil producers, the Islamic Republic of Mauritania have signed an exploration and production contract.
The French supermajor and the West African country are to perform exploration works on Block C7, which covers an area of 7,300 square kilometers.
The group will be the operator with a 90% interest alongside the Société Mauritanienne des Hydrocarbures et de Patrimoine Minier (SMHPM) holding the remaining 10%.
Guy Maurice, senior vice president, Africa at Total Exploration & Production, met with Mohamed Abdel Vetah, Minister of Petroleum, Energy and Mines of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania to agree the deal.
Afterwards, he said: “This agreement is part of Total’s strategy to explore new deepwater basins in Africa.
“The addition of the C7 block to our existing C9 deepwater license creates a contiguous exploration area of around 17,000 square kilometers in a high-potential zone in offshore Mauritania.”
Total has been present in Mauritania for nearly 20 years.
The firm is the only oil and gas major active in the marketing of petroleum products in the country, with a retail network of 38 service stations. The group holds a 90% interest in the C9 exploration license (10,150 square kilometers), located in the deep offshore.
Total also operates the onshore Ta29 exploration license (12,500 square kilometers) in the Taoudenni Basin.