A consortium comprising Total (50%), Hocol (operator, 20%, subsidiary of Maurel & Prom), and Talisman (30%) has been awarded the exploration rights for the Niscota Block in Colombia.

The 623-square-kilometre block is located approximately 180 kilometres northeast of Bogota in the Llanos basin, where major oil finds have already been made.

The partners are planning to conduct exploration operations in 2007.

Total in Colombia :

Total has been active in Colombia for many years through subsidiary TEPMA, which holds its interests in the Cusiana and Cupiagua fields (Total, 19%). The fields’ liquids are exported to the coast through the Ocensa pipeline (Total, 15.2%), while the gas is sold to the domestic market, mainly in Bogota.