French oil and gas firm Total has signed an agreement with a subsidiary of CNOOC International to acquire a 25% interest in Qatar's Block BC (pre-Khuff) exploration license.

CNOOC Middle East (Qatar) will retain a 75% stake and continue to be the operator of the block, which is located 130 kms east of the Qatari coast.

The offshore block covers an area of 5,649 square kilometers, with water depths ranging from 15m to 35m.

According to Total, 2D and 3D seismic surveys will be conducted and at least three exploration wells will be drilled by 2014 under the Block BC exploration and production sharing agreement which was signed with the Government of Qatar.

Total chairman and CEO Christophe de Margerie said that the farm-in transaction reflects the company’s commitment to expanding its exploration and production operations in promising geological basins.