Total exploration licence could be revoked as firm delay start of operations

A Total oil facility. The company’s licence for oil exploration in South Sudan could be withdrawn. PHOTO FILE | NATION

As South Sudan seeks investors in oil exploration following the mapping of several blocks, the country has said it will revoke the licences of firms that have failed to carry out their mandate — terming the companies as “vultures.”

The government is currently at loggerheads with French company Total SA, which it accuses of using the licence for Blocks B1 and B2 for trading to raise funds, yet they have failed to commence exploration.