Total has been awarded an exploration licence for block L3, on the Dutch Continental Shelf, in the Netherlands. The block is situated 100 kilometres offshore north of Den Helder, within water depths of around 40 metres, and covers 406 square kilometres.

The licence is granted for four years. The national Dutch State company EBN is expected to become a 40% partner of the project and Total, as operator, will hold the remaining 60%.

The L3 block is in the vicinity of the L4a, L7 and F15a producing blocks operated by Total.

Total looks forward to continuing its prominent role in exploration and production activities in the Netherlands, maintaining the position of the second largest hydrocarbon producer in the country.