A memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in 1999 at the same time as the Kharyaga production sharing agreement (PSA) stipulated that a Russian partner would take a stake in the project.
Total is operator of phases 2 and 3 of the Kharyaga field, which is located in the Nenets Autonomous District. The development of phase 3, which received the go-ahead in December 2007, will increase output to 30,000 barrels per day (b/d), compared to 20,000 b/d in 2008.
“This new collaboration with Zarubezhneft gives an additional boost to Total’s projects in Russia,” said Yves-Louis Darricarrère, President, Total Exploration & Production. “The addition of Zarubezhneft as a partner in the Kharyaga field will further strengthen relations between Russian oil companies and Total.”
Another partner in the field, Norway’s Statoil, is also transfering a 10% interest to Zarubezhneft.
Under the agreement, Total will continue to operate Kharyaga with a 40% interest, along with its partners Statoil (30%), Zarubezhneft (20%) and Nenets Oil Company (10%).
Total Exploration & Production in Russia
Total has been present in Russia since 1989. It holds a 25% interest in the first phase of the Shtokman project, alongside Gazprom (51%) and Statoil (24%). Front-end engineering design (FEED) is being performed prior to a final investment decision in 2010.
In the first phase of development, the field will produce 23.7 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually, of which approximately 50% (7.5 million metric tons per year) could be exported as liquefied natural gas.
In late June 2009, Total announced that it had signed heads of agreement with Novatek to acquire a 49% stake in its wholly-owned subsidiary Terneftegas, with Novatek retaining a 51% interest. The Russian Federal Antitrust Service approved the deal in October 2009.
Total’s Commitment to Russia
In Russia, as in other host countries, Total is committed to promoting local development. In every project in which it participates, Total creates sustainable jobs and trains employees to manage operations safely and efficiently.
Total also supports public health, education and cultural programs. For example, it finances the construction of schools in Narian-Mar, the administrative center of the Nenets Autonomous District. One establishment was inaugurated in November 2009.
Reported by Cristina Gallardo, write to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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