History of Total’s presence in Sudan

November 5, 1980: Total, through its subsidiary Total E&P Sudan, signs an Exploration and Production Sharing Agreement (EPSA) with the Government of Sudan on blocks in the south of the country, including block B, the main area for Total’s exploration activity in Sudan. Total operates block B with an interest of 32.5% in the contract. Its co-venturers are: Marathon Petroleum Sudan Ltd (32.5%), Kufpec Sudan Ltd (25%) and the national company Sudapet (10%).

1981-1985: Total performs seismic studies on block B and in particular acquires a 1,600km 2D seismic campaign in 1983/1984. The Group also carries out an Airmag study (Airmag: a visualization of the earth’s magnetism from an aircraft:).

February 1985:Total is about to drill three oil wells when the security situation in this area deteriorates. With the agreement of  the Government of Sudan, the consortium suspends its activities under a Stoppage Period provision.

1985-2004: Every year, the Government of Sudan extends the Stoppage Period. During this period, the consortium retains all of its rights on block B and Total keeps a minimal presence on site.

2003: Total reprocesses the seismic data acquired between 1982 and 1984.

February 2004: When hopes for a comprehensive peace are contemplated just after the Naïvasha Talks, Total, its co-venturers and the Ministry of Mines and Energy of Sudan decide to update the 1980 Exploration and Production Sharing Agreement, to take into account new international standards for the oil industry and new contractual terms for the Sudanese government.

December 21, 2004: Total and its partners sign the Revised Exploration and Production Sharing Agreement with the Government of Sudan.

February 1, 2005: Total E&P Sudan's Representative is appointed in Khartoum.

News

August 29, 2007:Yves-Louis Darricarrère, President, Total Exploration & Production, and Jean Privey, Senior Vice President Africa, Exploration & Production, met with Salva Kiir Mayardit and members* of the government of Southern Sudan in Juba on August 29.

Following the June decision by the National Petroleum Commission validating the agreements signed by Total and its partners, the meeting is evidence of the full acceptance by the government of Southern Sudan of the Total-led consortium’s right to conduct oil operations in Block B in line with the 2005 peace agreements.

Mr. Darricarrère assured President Salva Kiir that Total would:

• Devote the necessary capabilities to ensure that work in Block B is performed in line with the highest technical, corporate social responsibility and environmental standards.
• Deploy a socioeconomic program for local communities to support sustainable development in Southern Sudan.
• Maintain transparent relations with all authorities concerned.
• Conduct operations in respect of local residents, fairly and in line with the Group’s Code of Conduct.

Reflecting these commitments, Mr. Darricarrère announced that the consortium would be building a library at the Juba hospital to help train medical personnel and improve the health situation of the people of Southern Sudan.

* Albino Akol Akol, Minister of Industry and Mining; Michael Makuei, Minister of Legal Affairs and Constitutional Development; Luka Biong Deng, Minister in the Office of the President; Mary Kiden, Minister of Gender, Social Welfare and Religious Affairs; and John Luk Jok, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport.

June 17, 2007: Sudan's National Petroleum Commission, a joint institution enacted by the peace agreements between North and South Sudan, confirms, in its June 17th resolution, the validity and the exclusivity of Total's rights on Block B against White Nile's contention it held rights on this Block (NPC's June 17, 2007 resolution).

January 31, 2007:  The Court of Appeal in London delivers a strong judgment in favour of Total in its ongoing dispute with White Nile over the rights to Block Ba in Southern Sudan.
The Court of Appeal upholds in almost its entirety the High Court's original decision from May 2006. In this judgment, the Court of Appeal notes that White Nile had never given any convincing reasons as to why the documents should not be handed over. Total remains surprised that White Nile has fought so hard and so long to avoid disclosure of the very documents which White Nile relies upon to support its claim to Block Ba.
The Court of Appeal also orders White Nile to contribute to Total's costs of the appeal and refuses White Nile permission to appeal to the House of Lords.

May 2006:

• Call for tender for mine clearance to be effected before starting the seismic studies.
• In accordance with Total's request, the High Court of London passes a judgement ordering White Nile to disclose documentation evidencing its alleged rights on part of block B.

February 2006:

• Call for tender for seismic studies in the Jonglei basin.
• Appointment of a Geophysics Manager in Khartoum.

July 25, 2005: The ICG (International Crisis Group) gives its opinion on the Peace Agreements and on the White Nile issue.