Total Launches New Development Phase Of Yucal Placer Gas Field In Venezuela

Total announced Monday, together with its partners Repsol, Inepetrol and Otepi, having taken the final investment decision for a new development phase of the Yucal Placer gas field, operated by Ypergas*, and located in Guárico State, Venezuela.

The production capacity of this field, which came on stream in 2004, will be increased as soon as in 2012 and will ultimately reach a plateau at around 300 million cubic feet per day, which corresponds to three times the current production.

The sanction of this major expansion project follows the signature of an addendum to the gas sales and purchase agreement between Ypergas and PDVSA Gas. The project will significantly increase the gas resources available to supply the domestic Venezuelan market which is experiencing strong growth.

Yucal Placer’s gas characteristics – high-CO2 content, high-temperature – require specific technological expertise in sour gas and high-temperature deposits, which Total has developed and consolidated.