Western Sahara Resource Watch

Total's unethical seabed exploration resumes

After a short Christmas break, the controversial French-Chinese oil exploration offshore occupied Western Sahara has resumed.

Published 02 January 2013

Total has requested renewal of licence in Western Sahara

The French oil company Total has asked for a one year renewal of their controversial licence in occupied Western Sahara. WSRW calls on investors to divest from the company.

Published 14 December 2012

One week in silence: No news from Total on controversy

Seven days after Total’s licence expired, no updates have been released in Moroccan media or by Total, whether the company will continue its highly dubious operations. A number of French organisations has expressed their concern over Total’s engagement in the occupied territory of Western Sahara.

Published 13 December 2012

One of Total's biggest owners looking into the Sahara controversy

Norwegian national newspaper Aftenposten today wrote that Norway's government - owning two percent of Total - could possibly blacklist the company from its pension fund due to its operations in Western Sahara. Norway owns 2,5 billion USD of shares in the company.

Published 08 December 2012

ONHYM confirms: Total licence expired

Total's reconnaissance contract offshore Western Sahara expired 6 December 2012.

Published 07 December 2012

WSRW asks Total to leave Western Sahara

Western Sahara Resource Watch today asked Total to not renew its licence in occupied Western Sahara. See letter.

Published 07 December 2012

The Chinese seemingly work for Total

A subsidiary of China's national oil company seems these days to do seismographic studies on Total's block in occupied Western Sahara. WSRW today protested against the operations.

Published 06 December 2012

Western Sahara Republic protests Total operations

The government of the Western Sahara Republic today sent a letter to the CEO of the Total SA, asking the company to stay away from Western Sahara. Total's licence in Western Sahara could be ending today - will they renew?

Published 06 December 2012

Did Total do explorations in Western Sahara this summer?

This summer, a UK seismic survey vessel carried out studies offshore Western Sahara, accompanied by the protest of the government of the Western Sahara republic. The recent findings of Total’s new block suggest it was in fact the French company that had commissioned the studies.

Published 05 December 2012

LATEST: Total licence to be renewed this week?

From what WSRW understands, Total’s new licence in Western Sahara was signed exactly one year ago. This opens for a renewal already this week, first week of December 2012. WSRW urges Total’s investors to engage immediately.

Published 03 December 2012

Total returned to Western Sahara – with giant oil contract

It caused a stir in the Security Council when French oil giant Total signed an oil agreement in occupied Western Sahara in 2001. Three years later they pulled out. But now they are back.

Published 29 November 2012

Morocco carves out new oil blocks in the occupied territory

The Moroccan state owned oil company ONHYM has established new oil blocks in Western Sahara. The illegal programme could double the acreage in the occupied territory.

Published 17 July 2011

Ifremer studies in Western Sahara

Find here details on the articles published as part of the Ifremer-Total studies in Dakhla, Western Sahara.

Published 02 June 2009

WSRW demands oil research stopped

Western Sahara Resource Watch demanded in a letter on 19 March 2009 to the scientific journal Tectonophysics, that research done by a PhD student at the Norwegian Geological Survey should not be published. The geological research in occupied Western Sahara is done in cooperation with Moroccan oil authorities, but without the consent of the Sahrawi people.

Published 21 May 2009

Norway-based oil research in occupied territory

A research fellow attached to the Norwegian Geological Survey has been working on an oil research project in the occupied Western Sahara. Western Sahara Resource Watch requests that a scientific geological journal temporarily suspend further publication of her research data. The research institute is itself sceptical of the research project.

Published 21 May 2009

PESA: Fusion Provides 200,000 km2 Study For New African Acreage Chance

PESA News, April/May 2003, Issue Number 63.

Published 17 February 2005

Upstream Online: Total turns its back on Dakhla block

Published 03 December 2004

Afrol: "No oil off Sahara" says withdrawing Total

The French oil giant Total (formerly TotalFinaElf) has announced its withdrawal from its controversial operations offshore Moroccan-occupied Western Sahara. The company claims there were no recoverable oil or gas deposits in the area.

Published 29 November 2004