TOTAL is active in exploring potential offshore resources in Libya and other countries of North Africa.
Mr. Blasco reported:
"In Libya, we are already participating in production from Al Jurf field, located offshore Tripoli. Two exploration wells are planned in 2013 for this area. In Egypt, we are operating the East El Burrulus Block, located deep offshore, where two exploration wells should be drilled in 2013. We are also interested in the recent exploration round launched by EGAS. In Mauritania, we are operators of the Block C9, where we plan to start a 3D seismic campaign by year-end."
While Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) is increasingly important in Libya, Mr. Blasco states:
"There is a lot to do with Improved Oil Recovery (IOR) activities on existing fields before starting costly EOR projects."
The unrest seen in Libya raises security concerns; however TOTAL has managed to work in Tripoli as well as on the fields, both safely and efficiently.
Furthermore, TOTAL actively seeks to develop local content programmes in the region. Mr. Blasco stated that the last development project in Usan, deep offshore in Nigeria, has involved a record 60 per cent of local content man-hours.
Mr. Blasco concluded saying:
"We have great ambitions for developing our E&P activities in North Africa. For the year to come, we have two development projects in Algeria, Timimoun and Ahnet, that we would like to move forward. We are eager to invest more widely in Libya, to explore and develop new resources. We hope to be successful in Egyptian offshore. In Mauritania, we expect our frontier exploration, both onshore and offshore to be successful. For the long term, non-conventional hydrocarbons in mature basins might represent bright perspectives for the oil industry."
Mr. Blasco is confirmed to participate at the seventh annual North Africa Oil and Gas Summit held from 6 - 8 November 2012 in Vienna, Austria. This summit is the only event that covers the entire North African region with representation guaranteed at the most senior level from Algeria, Libya, Egypt, Morocco and Mauritania, all of whom are focused on developing their oil and gas industry.
