PARIS, May 24: French oil group Total said on Wednesday it had signed two agreements covering its participation in four new deep-sea oil fields off the north western coast of Australia.

Under a deal with the Australian company BHP Billiton, Total will take a 25 per cent interest in one exploration site. The Chinese oil firm CNOC will also have a 25 percent stake, while BHP Billiton — as project manager — will hold 50 per cent.—AFP