An international consortium led by French energy group Total has struck an E&P deal for the North Ras Kanayis offshore block in the Herodotus Basin off the coast of Egypt, Total said Jan. 4.

The exploration block covers an area of 4,550 sq km, extending from 5 km to 150 km from the shore, with water depths ranging from 50 m to 3,200 m, the company said.

Total has a 35% stake in the consortium. Other partners include Shell, with a 30% stake, and the companies KUFPEC and Tharwa, which have respective stakes of 25% and 10%.