ONHYM confirms: Total licence expired
Article image
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.

When countries defend self-determination while voting against it

Our analysis of yesterday's UN Security Council vote on Western Sahara reveals a striking gap between what some governments said about the Saharawi people's right to self-determination and the resolution they voted to support. 

31 October 2026

US and Russia veto competing Western Sahara resolutions, leaving MINURSO’s future uncertain

In an extraordinary confrontation, both permanent members blocked each other’s proposals on Western Sahara. With no resolution adopted, the UN mission faces an imminent expiry of its mandate.

30 October 2026

SRI update

The following overview enlists stock-exchange registered companies with current or recent operations in occupied Western Sahara. Updated 28 October  2026.

28 October 2026

UN Security Council may endorse the occupation of Western Sahara

On the 30th of October, the UN Security Council may vote on a resolution on Western Sahara that sets aside the Saharawi people's right to self-determination, in violation of the UN Charter.

27 October 2026