"Total and Shell as operator will develop several natural gas discoveries located in the Greater Barik area on onshore Block 6 with respective shares of 25 percent and 75 percent," Total said in a statement.

The project is expected to have initial production of around 500 million cubic feet of gas per day, rising to a potential of 1 bcf/d.

"Total will use its equity gas entitlement as feedstock to develop in Oman a regional hub for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) bunkering service to supply LNG as a fuel to marine vessels."