Total seeks firmer foothold in Bangladesh

Dhaka, Dec 10 (bdprem.com) – French oil giant Total seeks to expand its operations in Bangladesh, officials said Monday. Your Ad Here A government official said France had earlier assured Bangladesh of providing help in exploring gas. The assurance came during a visit of a Bangladesh delegation led by energy secretary Mohammad Mohsin to France on Dec 4-7. After the visit, Mohsin told bdprem.com that the Bangladesh delegates had talks with France's energy authorities on identifying the fields of cooperation in the energy sector. The four-member delegation's visit came at a time when Total expressed its interest to expand its business in Bangladesh. One of the delegates preferring anonymity told bdnews24.com that the talks also focused on the possibility of receiving technical help, modern equipment and training for Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company and its officials. In France, the Bangladesh delegation also visited the technical centre of Total. Petrobangla chairman Jalal Ahmed, director Major Md Moktadir Ali and Bapex managing director Md Imamuddin accompanied the energy secretary. Total, the world's fourth-largest listed oil and gas company, has exploration and production operations in 42 countries, according to the company website. Total is now responsible for exploring gas in block Nos. 17 and 18 in Bangladesh.