Total: Confirms to Drill 2 Exploration Wells in Libya

Posted: Wednesday, April 24, 2013

French oil and gas major Total SA Wednesday confirmed that it is to drill next month two exploration wells in Libya, near the Al Jurf field.

The company will drill the wells between the middle and end of May, a Total spokesman said.

Earlier in the day, Libyan state-run National Oil Corp., or NOC, said Total was currently transferring equipment to start the drilling next month.

The plans show that recent security concerns haven't stopped international companies from moving forward with their North African oil-development plans.

"The security measures had already been reinforced (after the Algerian event in January) and some additional security measures are being set up," the spokesman said, without elaborating.

France 's embassy in Tripoli was attacked Monday, with a bomb explosion injuring two French guards and destroying much of the diplomatic compound, while a deadly attack in January on an Algerian natural-gas plant rekindled fears of attacks on energy facilities across the region.

Total already has two producing oil fields in Libya , Mabruk, which is onshore, and the offshore Al Jurf, near which the two exploration wells are to be drilled, the spokesman confirmed.

(DowJones)