Total to begin drilling onshore Egypt block soon

France’s Total will begin drilling in block 2 in onshore Egypt, which is managed in a 50/50 partnership with BP, MENA President for Exploration and Production Stephane Michel told Reuters. Drilling will start as soon as a rig currently being used by BP on another block is available. The company is also preparing to drill for gas off Cyprus in block 11, which is adjacent to Egypt’s Zohr. "Obviously the Zohr discovery has changed the landscape …It is clear that the decision to drill block 11 was taken on the basis of the Zohr discovery," Michel said.