Total is actively looking for exploration opportunities across the North Africa region, according to a senior executive of the company.
Jean Daniel Blasco, vice president of Total E&P North Africa, said that his company is also aiming to develop its existing exploration and production activities across the region. “In Algeria, we would like to move forward with the development of Timimoun and Ahnet fields, and in Egypt, we hope to be successful with our offshore activities,” he said. “In Mauritania, we expect our frontier exploration, both onshore and offshore to be successful.”
In Libya, Total has reattained October 2011 production levels of 55,000 B/D. “The two fields we operate in Libya, Al Jurf (offshore) and Mabruk (onshore), are now back to their prewar production level,” Blasco said in an interview with The Energy Exchange. Al Jurf field produces 45,000 B/D and Mabruk’s output is 10,000 B/D.
Blasco also said that his company is interested in expanding its activities in Libya including exploration rounds.
As oil fields in Libya are aging, Blasco said that operators need to introduce new techniques to increase the capacity of the fields. “There is a lot to do with improved oil recovery activities on existing fields before starting costly enhanced oil recovery projects,” he said.
In Egypt, Total operates the deep offshore East El Burrulus block, where two exploration wells are planned for next year. The company is also interested in the recent exploration round launched by EGAS, he said.
In Mauritania, the company operates Block C9, where it plans to start a 3D seismic campaign by the end of this year, he said.
