TotalFinaElf announces it has obtained a new exploration permit following a bid-round in Algeria. Located in the Timimoun Basin, in the southwest of the country, the Timimoun permit (blocks 325a-329) covers an area of 13,250 square kilometres.

TotalFinaElf will operate the permit holding an 85% interest, in partnership with Cepsa (15 %). The work commitment to be undertaken by the partners includes 2D and 3D seismic plus the drilling of three wells.

In Algeria, TotalFinaElf already operates the Tin Fouyé Tabankort (TFT) natural gas field in partnership with Sonatrach, the Algerian oil and gas company. The Group is also a partner with Sonatrach in the development of the Hamra field. Both fields are located in the southeast of the country.

In addition, the Group was awarded a participation in the Rhourde Es Sid permit (blocks 432, 444 South, 403 North) in the Berkine Basin at the end of last year.

This latest permit award confirms the interest of TotalFinaElf in the Algerian upstream oil and gas sector and reflects the Group's strategy of strengthening its position in North Africa.