OREANDA-NEWS. Total today announces the signature of a farm-in agreement with InterOil Corporation that gives it a 61.3% interest in Petroleum Retention License (PRL) 15 in Papua New Guinea. The Elk and Antelope gas fields, two of the biggest finds in the Asia-Pacific region in recent years, were discovered in the license in 2006 and 2009 respectively.

Total and InterOil Corporation retain the flexibility to farm-down an aggregate of up to a 19.3% interest (before any election by the government to exercise its option to join the project with a 22.5% interest) to a strategic partner.

The common objective of Total, who will operate the project, and InterOil, is to complete the delineation of the two discoveries and to continue to explore for new resources in the license area. Depending on the results, this could lead to a final investment decision by 2016 for the development of the fields and the construction of a liquefaction plant located onshore on the Gulf of Papua.

In addition, Total has an option to take an interest in Petroleum Prospecting Licenses PPL 236, PPL 237 and PPL 238 in the same area.

“Following Total's entry into exploration in Papua New Guinea in 2012, this new acquisition of an interest in significant discovered resources is an exciting opportunity for Total to develop a new gas production and liquefaction hub in the Asia-Pacific region, where gas demand is very dynamic”, stated Yves-Louis Darricarrere, President Upstream at Total. “Total will leverage its technology and experience in major LNG projects to reinforce its long-term production post-2020.”

Total will pay USD 470 million for a 42% interest (32.5% if the government executes its option to join the project) with a contingent payment estimated by Total at approximately USD 590 million. The transaction remains subject to the approval of the Papua New Guinea government.