Report: Total stops drilling off S. Africa

Technical problems on a drilling rig have forced Total, a France-based oil and gas exploration and production company, to stop its drilling operation offshore South Africa.

Reuters has quoted Guy Maurice, Total senior vice president for exploration and production in Africa, who said that offshore repair at the rig was impossible due to challenging ocean currents and strong winds.

Total is one of the first oil explorers to drill for oil and gas in the country, one of the few remaining under-explored offshore regions in Africa.

In September 2013, the company farmed into the Canadian Natural Resources Limited’s  Block 11B/12B offshore South Africa.

According to Reuters, Maurice said the company was working to continue drilling but did not provide any information on when the operation would resume.

Offshore Energy Today Staff