Total snaps up Mauritania block

PARIS, May 12, 2017 – Total has gained a 90% stake in the C7 block offshore Mauritania, the French major said on Friday. It will be working alongside state-owned SMHPM, which maintains 10% in the 7,300-kilometre asset.

Already a stakeholder in the deepwater C9 exploration area, Friday’s exploration and production contract increases Total’s contiguous exploration area to more than 17,000 square kilometres.

“This agreement is part of Total’s strategy to explore new deepwater basins in Africa,” Senior Vice-President for Africa Guy Maurice said in a press release.

The waters offshore Mauritania and Senegal have drawn attention in recent months, with BP increasing its footprint in the area. Earlier this week, the company announced a “major” find in the area, home to the cross-border Tortue field.

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