France-based energy company TotalEnergies has announced three new offshore exploration permits, two for Nigeria and one for the Republic of the Congo.
TotalEnergies, which also makes the Total metalworking and lubricant range, signed a production sharing contract (PSC) for the offshore PPL 2000 and 2001 exploration licenses. The two licenses cover almost 800 square miles within the West Delta basin area. TotalEnergies is the designated operator for the basin with an 80% interest.
The permits were awarded as part of Nigeria’s first bidding round in more than 10 years. TotalEnergies’ senior vice-president for exploration, Kevin McLachlan, said the company was proud to be the first international operator to be given permits, saying it represented:
“…a new milestone in our long-term partnership with the country. These promising block captures are fully aligned with our strategy of strengthening our Exploration portfolio with drill-ready and high impact prospects, that have the potential for low-cost and low-emissions developments from new discoveries in our core areas of expertise.”
TotalEnergies also announced that the Republic of the Congo had awarded it the Nzombo exploration license. This covers an area of almost 400 square miles about 60 miles offshore of Pointe-Noire. Thanks to its proximity to the company-operated Moho production facilities, TotalEnergies says it expects to leverage the existing infrastructure to develop any prospects. The company holds a 50% interest in the project as operator, with the remaining 35% and 15% interests being held by QatarEnergy and the state-owned SNPC, respectively.
