Total to double oil output in Venezuela: Chavez

PARIS - The French group Total will double its oil production in Venezuela to 400,000 barrels per day from 200,000 currently, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said here Wednesday.
Speaking after a meeting with French President Jacques Chirac, Chavez said Total will invest several billions of dollars (euros) to double its production.
Chavez also said Total had been authorised to operate off the country's Atlantic shore, where there are large gas reserves.
He had met earlier in the day with Total chief executive Thierry Desmarest.

03/09/2005 19:02 GMT