By Nathan Allen 
 

Total SA (FP.FR) said Wednesday that it has signed exploration and production contracts for two deep-offshore blocks with Mauritania's energy ministry.

The French oil major will be the operator of blocks C15 and C31 with a 90% stakeholding. Mauritania's state oil company, Societe Mauritanienne des Hydrocarbures et de Patrimoine Minier, holds the remaining 10%.

"The award of these new blocks strengthens Total's position in the emerging hydrocarbons basin offshore Mauritania," the company said.

West Africa is a core exploration area for Total, which also operates in Senegal, Ivory Coast and Nigeria. It has been present in Mauritania for nearly 20 years and has majority stakes in five of the country's offshore blocks.

Write to Nathan Allen at nathan.allen@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

December 12, 2018 02:44 ET (07:44 GMT)