Total enters new block offshore Egypt

An international consortium led by Total and the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding company (EGAS) have signed an exploration and production agreement for the North Ras Kanayis Offshore block located in the Herodotus Basin, offshore Egypt in the Mediterranean Sea.

The consortium consists of Total, as the operator with a 35 per cent, Shell 30 per cent, KUFPEC 25 per cent, and Tharwa 10 per cent interest.

Announcing its entry in the block on Monday, Total said that this exploration block covers an area of 4,550 sq km, extending from 5 to 150 km from the shore, with water depths ranging from 50 to 3,200 m.

The Herodotus Basin is an underexplored area and the agreement includes a 3D seismic campaign during the first three years.

‘‘Total is pleased to further strengthen its Eastern Mediterranean position as an operator of this exploration and production agreement’’, commented Kevin McLachlan, Senior Vice President Exploration at Total.

“We are excited by the exploration potential of the North Ras Kanayis Offshore block. It reinforces our presence in Egypt, following a gas discovery made in July 2020 with the Bashrush well on the North El Hammad license, to be developed through a tie-in to nearby existing infrastructure”.

Total holds a working interest of 25 per cent in the North El Hammad license, alongside operator Eni (37.5 per cent) and BP (37.5 per cent).