French oil giant Total has been awarded a one year extension on the exploration license for Block 3102 by Madagascar government. The license covers the Bemolanga prospect in the Morondava basin on the western coast of Madagascar, which is one of the prime oil rich basins on the island, the other two being Ambilobe, Majunga.

Pascal Velonarivo, the director general of hydrocarbons within the ministry of oil and hydrocarbons, confirmed the news to media saying, "Total Exploration and Production has obtained a one-year extension of its Bemolanga exploration licence." The company, which was producing heavy oil on its previous permit will now be allowed to include exploration of conventional oil, he added.

The extended permit follows Total's voicing its intention in May that it is looking to extend its operations for conventional oil with a one year license extension.

Tags: Total