Total signs agreement with MOG for Block 12

French energy major Total announced that it has signed a heads of agreement (HoA) with Oman’s Ministry of Oil and Gas (MOG) for the awarding of an exploration license on Block 12 with significant prospective gas resources to Total.

Under the terms of this HoA, both parties will finalise in the coming months, on an exclusive basis, a definitive agreement that will grant Total 100 per cent working interest and operatorship of the exploration Block 12, which is located in central Oman, Total said in a press statement.

This new agreement was signed after Total, the Ministry of Oil and Gas and Oman Oil Co reached a new milestone to implement their integrated gas project, which entails developing the gas resources of the Greater Barik area (Blocks 10 and 11), as well as building and operating a liquefaction plant to offer a bunkering service and supply liquefied natural gas as a fuel to marine vessels.

“Having been present in Oman for more than 80 years mostly in the oil sector, Total is pleased to have the opportunity to bring its expertise in the natural gas value chain to the sultanate. After the agreement reached on the integrated gas project of the Greater Barik area, the entry into exploration Block 12 represents a new exploration opportunity to unlock additional gas potential and to contribute to income growth and job creation in the country,” said Patrick Pouyanné, chairman and CEO of Total.

Spread over 10,000sqkm, Block 12 is located onshore, in the northern part of Block 6 and to the south of the Greater Barik area (including Mabrouk North East and Mabrouk West fields).

Total’s exploration programme on the block will comprise seismic acquisition and drilling commitments, with the drilling of a first well in 2020, the company said.

In Oman, Total’s production was 38,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2018. Total holds four per cent interest in the onshore Block 6 (operated by PDO), as well as in Oman LNG (5.54 per cent) and Qalhat LNG (2.04 per cent).

Source: MuscatDaily