Total signs deal with Mauritania

French oil company Total signed here on Monday with Mauritania a deal to excavate and produce oil in the country''s coastal basin overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The two parts did not say the percentage that each of them would get out of the deal. However Mauritanian Oil Minister Ould Abdi said that the deal was conducted professionally, adding that it will benefit both parties. This is the first deal for excavating deep waters. it is set to encourage investment in Mauritania''s oil sector. There are currently two oil companies that are excavating Mauritanian coasts near capital city Nouakchott. However their production is yet to exceed 11000 barrels a day. (QNA) M B/MD