Total signed today an agreement with Lukoil creating a joint venture (JV) to explore and develop the tight oil potential of the Bazhenov play in Western Siberia. Total will hold 49% of the JV and Lukoil 51%. This agreement finalizes the memorandum of understanding signed between the two companies in December 2013. The JV will assess the technical feasibility of developing the tight oil potential of the Bazhenov formation initially on 4 licenses covering an area of 2,700 km² in Khanty-Mansi Autonomous District. Seismic acquisition will start in 2014 and exploration drilling will follow in 2015. Total will contribute its Lyaminskiy 3, Vostochno-Kovenskiy and Tashinskiy licences to the JV while Lukoil will add the Galyanovsky license.