Total has signed a technical evaluation agreement with the National Office of Petroleum of Guinea (ONAP) to study deep and ultra-deep offshore areas located off the coast of Guinea Conakry.
Under the agreement, Total will evaluate the potentiality of the basin that includes an area of about 55,000km² by assessing existing data.
After one year, the group will choose three licences to start an exploration programme.
Total Exploration for production senior vice-president Kevin McLachlan said: “By taking this position on a new under-explored area, Total pursues its exploration strategy targeting deep offshore prospective basins.
“Therefore, Total has the opportunity to evaluate a very large area, located in an extension of the prolific Mauritania/Senegal basin where we already are.
“This will allow us to capitalise on our know-how and experience acquired in West Africa.”
Total will also provide training to the ONAP staff to develop their technical skills with regard to exploration and production.
The company operates its marketing and services activities in Guinea through its affiliate Total Guinée, which is also engaged in aviation activities operated through the SOMCAG depot.
The group owns a retail network of 150 service stations along with a 47% interest in SGP, the entity managing the country stocks.
Last month, Total’s another subsidiary Total E&P USA signed an agreement to explore seven Chevron USA-operated prospects in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico.
The agreement covers 16 blocks.
