An international consortium led by Total (Total 35 per cent and Operator, Shell 30 per cent, KUFPEC 25 per cent, Tharwa 10 per cent) and the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding company (EGAS) have inked an exploration and production agreement for the North Ras Kanayis Offshore block located in the Herodotus Basin, offshore of Egypt in the Mediterranean Sea.

The exploration block covers an area of 4,550 square kilometres, extending from 5 to 150 kilometres from the shore, with water depths ranging from 50 to 3,200 metres.

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

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

“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,” Mr McLachlan said.

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).