Development plans were originally to be submitted to state energy company Sonatrach by the end of 2007, but the team has decided that further preparation is needed before proposals can be finalised (MEED 7:9:07).

“We have decided that we need more time to study the development plans,” says a Total spokeswoman in Paris.

There is no new target for the completion of proposals. “It’s too early to say when the plans will be submitted,” says the spokeswoman. “A completion date has not been set.”

The plans will involve the use of cutting-edge technology to develop the prospect, and the sharing of infrastructure to facilitate gas transportation from a relatively remote location.

Under the scheme, infrastructure would be shared with adjacent exploration permits owned by a team of Gaz de France and Spain’s Repsol and by Norway’s Statoil and the UK/Dutch Shell Group.

The aggregation of scattered gas resources would improve the economic case for their extraction from the basin.

The proposed co-operation would be facilitated by Sonatrach, which is a partner on all three projects.