PARIS: French energy giant Total and its Pakistani partner PARCO said Wednesday they had reached a deal with American oil major Chevron to buy its fuel distribution network in Pakistan.

“Total and its partner PARCO confirm that they have reached an agreement with Chevron to acquire its fuel marketing businesses of retail, commercial and industrial sales, logistics and aviation in Pakistan,” a Total spokesman told news agency AFP.

He said the deal, which still needs approval from local authorities, would more than double Total’s network of petrol stations in Pakistan.

“This acquisition will strengthen Total’s position in Pakistan and notably in Total Parco Pakistan Ltd, a joint venture between Total SA and Pak Arab Refinery Ltd (PARCO),” the spokesman said.

PARCO is a joint venture between Pakistan’s government, which owns 60 per cent, and the United Arab Emirates, which owns 40 percent, to market petroleum products.

The companies did not disclose the value of the deal or the timetable for the transfer.

Dawn had reported the signing of the agreement last month, however the companies had not officially announced it. Well-placed sources had told Dawn that the agreement is expected to be completed by the first half of 2014, and that Chevron would retain its lubricant business in Pakistan.

Chevron has hundreds of retail outlets in the country which operate under the brand name of Caltex.

Total currently has 260 service stations in Pakistan under its partnership with PARCO. The deal will increase that number to nearly 800, giving Total the third-largest distribution network in Pakistan after Shell and Pakistan State Oil.

Many global energy firms have sought to limit their involvement in downstream businesses such as refineries and service stations, but Total has recently been moving to buy up petrol stations in emerging markets. It recently bought Shell’s and Chevron’s distribution networks in Egypt and has said the Middle East is a priority for expansion.