Doha, Qatar, 7 May 2012 – Qatar Petroleum and Total today signed a research and technology project agreement on carbonates acid stimulation.

This project aims at increasing hydrocarbons production in Qatar by addressing a major concern in carbonates oil and gas fields -- improving significantly the efficiency of acid stimulation. Hydrocarbons geological reservoirs are carbonates reservoirs in Qatar.

These carbonates dissolve in acid. Thus, the main idea of this project is simple: injecting acid in wells dissolves a part of the rocks, thus improving the permeability of the reservoirs and, hence, the productivity of the producing wells. The joint research between QP and Total will especially focus on highly permeability contrasted formations and, at the same time, mitigate unwanted water production.

The project inaugurates the general technical partnership established within the Technology Cooperation Framework Agreement signed by QP and Total in November 2011. The two companies will work together, having a joint team in the domain of well acid stimulation in the Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), which is an entity of the Qatar Foundation.