FRANCE: Total Reports Record Crude Oil Prices

Record crude oil prices have helped French oil giant Total get a record 12.58bn euros net profit in 2006. The earnings, up 5% on the previous year, were buoyed by crude reaching more than $78 a barrel in mid-July.

Its fourth quarter results compare with an 11% rise in profits at Royal Dutch Shell, a 12% slump at BP and a 4.3% dip at Exxon Mobil. Total reported overall sales in the year of 153.8bn euros, 12% higher than in 2005.


Total nears Iran decision
French energy major Total is a few months away from deciding on investments in the Pars LNG project in Iran, a senior official said.

'Technically and commercially, the project is advancing very well and we are not far from deciding whether to invest,' said Total's head of exploration and Production Yves-Louis Darricarrere, adding a decision could occur in the next few months.

He said the company would take into account Iran's political environment when making the decision.

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