Total eyes Syrian oil fields

DAMASCUS, Syria, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- The Syrian Petroleum Ministry plans to hold talks with French oil major Total to discuss exploration of the Deir El-Zour oil field north of Damascus.

Christophe de Margerie with Total said the oil giant will meet with officials with the Syrian Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ministry to discuss the deal, Middle East Business Intelligence reported.

"We are finalizing talks with Syria on the extension of an oil and gas production permit at Deir El-Zour," de Margerie said.

Total recently pulled out of development of the Iranian South Pars natural gas field.

De Margerie is in Damascus with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who warned Iran over its nuclear program.

The estimated output from Deir El-Zour is around 63,000 barrels per day.