France's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development Jean-Marc Ayrault arrived in Tehran on Monday January 30 for a two-day visit, heading a 60-strong senior politico-economic delegation.
Referring to the visit, Manouchehri said the NIOC chief, Ali Kardor, held talks with French companies during Ayrault's stay in Tehran.
He said NIOC is seeking to promote the drilling capabilities of Iranian rigs, saying cooperation of Iranian companies with French partners would promote the quality, speed and services of drilling projects.
Total will operate the SP11 project with a 50.1% interest alongside Petropars (19.9%), a 100% subsidiary of NIOC, and the Chinese state-owned oil and gas company CNPC (30%).
In parallel, Total will launch engineering studies and a call for tender process so that construction contracts can be awarded immediately upon signature of the final agreement.