Total signs up for Ivorian deepwater trio

The Paris-based oil major announced on Friday it had signed deals with Ivorian state player Petroci, Anadarko and Canadian Natural Resources for the licence trio.

Total senior vice president for exploration Marc Blaizot said the player was targeting the so-called abrupt margin, a zone of sediments deposited at the bottom of the continental shelf's downward slope.

Blaizot said the zone was a “core growth driver for the future”, pointing out Total had already seen a discovery under the same conditions in French Guiana, with the same target in play in Mauritania.

The trio, situated around 100 kilometres off Ivory Coast, cover an area of 3200 square kilometres with water depths ranging from 2000 to 3000 metres.

A 3D seismic survey of the whole acreage is planned under the work programme for the licences, with the first well on each block to be drilled within three years.

Total will operate the CI-514 license with a 54% interest, in partnership with Canadian Natural Ressources International (36%) and Petroci (10%).

The French player will hold a 45% interest in the CI-515 and CI-516 licenses, alongside Anadarko (45%) and Petroci (10%).

For all three, Total will become the operator in the event of a commercial discovery.

Total already operates the CI-100 deep offshore license with a 60% participation, where a final 3D seismic survey is underway and first drilling is slated for the end of this year.

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