Among the jobs most prevalent in our petrochemical activities are those for exploration, development, production, and transportation. Equally important are jobs pertaining to procurement, and contracts, public affairs, and of course, geosciences. Whatever the job, the work ethic is the same: professionalism, team spirit, solidarity and accountability.

Geosciences Division (GSR)

Our Geosciences Division (GSR), created at the end of December 2000, is the hub of our exploration and reservoir engineering activities aimed at increasing our reserves for a brighter future. The division is built around three Asset Departments comprising completely integrated teams of geologists, geophysicists and reservoir engineers. Their main goal is to assist our oil and gas sites to make development decisions by providing supporting information using a fast-track appraisal programme. Other missions are to mature and drill high-value prospects in certain project deep offshore, and to compensate natural production decline by proposing in-fill wells and stimulation jobs.

Procurement and Contracts

Procurement and Contracts has been recently organised as a single entity in the company, not only to create savings and synergies, but to create a more professional and dynamic environment to act efficiently in an increasingly competitive industry. This department handles over 300 active contracts and 40 contract requests per month. It uses a standardized contract procedure to process work in a fair and transparent manner, through Calls for Tender whenever possible. Their aim: to obtain the best service at the least cost.

Information Systems & Telecoms

The Information Systems & Telecoms team is often at the cutting-edge of technology, somewhat of an anomaly in a still-developing nation. Modern and complex computer hardware and systems software have been deployed in the Geosciences Technical Services, the various Assets, Finance and offices to enhance efficiency and productivity. State-of-the-art telecomm equipment keeps information circulating within the company and assures interfaces with the outside world, for business, security and other functions.

Finance function and Business strategy

The main activities of this division are self-explanatory: Finance and Control, for bill collection and payment, and financial records. Another core activity under shared-services is Business strategy. The main functions include Business Joint Venture Strategic planning, as Asset and Non-operated Asset. Their goal: to reposition the company to take new initiatives in core business areas to meet growth objectives.

General Services

This spans the company's Logistics and Works, and Maintenance Services. With the 2003 creation of the Services department, improvements have been steadily accruing: from new car fleets to a global maintenance contract for cost-effective fleet care. The maintenance of Company buildings, the management of Total Village in Port Harcourt and other assets in Lagos and Abuja rely on a coordinated team of dedicated employees.

Public Affairs

The Public Affairs team is responsible for managing the image and reputation of the company. This it does through a careful and strategic engagement of the company's various publics, which include the different tiers and arms of government (Executive, National Assembly), the mass media, Civil Society, international and local organizations and pressure groups and other stakeholders. The overall objective is to build and maintain a positive perception for Total among all stakeholders and thus facilitate an enabling environment to operate.

Legal and Management Services Department

The Legal and Management Services Department headed by the General Counsel, manages all legal aspects of the business of Total Companies in Nigeria and helps them meet their legal and regulatory compliance obligations. In rendering assistance to the Company, our lawyers are committed to providing the most appropriate solutions to problems encountered and to structuring transactions to optimise business opportunities whilst limiting our risks. This is achieved by the deployment of high legal skills, bearing in mind the overall objectives of the Company at all times. Apart from the necessary professional qualifications, Lawyers working in this team are required to have the ability to think broadly, and must have excellent communication skills.