ONHYM confirms: Total licence expired
Total's reconnaissance contract offshore Western Sahara expired 6 December 2012.
Published 07 December 2012
The oil magazine Upstream published 7 December a story about Total's engagement in Western Sahara.
"A source at Morocco's state-owned upstream player Onhym confirmed the contract was set to expire on 6 December, but was unaware of the French company's next step", wrote Upstream.
Find subscription information for the oil and gas news service Upstream here.
WSRW has during the last days received no indication as to whether Total will end, prolong or upgrade its licence in Western Sahara. The controversial agreement was signed quietly 12 months ago, and has remained under the radar until it was discovered last week, shortly before it was set to expire.
News
Siemens Energy sidesteps key questions on Western Sahara
At its 2026 Annual General Meeting, Siemens Energy defended its involvement in wind energy projects in occupied Western Sahara.
12 March 2026
Morocco allocates land in occupied Western Sahara to green hydrogen investors
Morocco’s ambitions to become a global green hydrogen powerhouse are accelerating. Yet, Rabat is allocating land in a territory it does not legally own.
20 February 2026
US eyes minerals in occupied Western Sahara
Seeking to position itself as a key supplier of strategic minerals for Western powers, Morocco has signed a new agreement with the United States that covers Western Sahara’s waters and the critical minerals harboured there.
13 February 2026
TAQA-Moeve obtains land in occupied Western Sahara
Morocco’s push for green hydrogen has taken a decisive step forward - on territory it does not legally own.
12 February 2026