Total still hopeful on $40 bln Abu Dhabi nuclear deal

RAMBOUILLET, France Nov 27 (Reuters) - French oil major Total (TOTF.PA) is still hopeful of winning a $40 billion nuclear deal in Abu Dhabi, its Chief Executive Christophe de Margerie told reporters on Friday.

Total is jointly bidding with GDF Suez (GSZ.PA) and Areva CEPFi.PA for the deal with the United Arab Emirates, which would be the largest ever energy contract in the Middle East for the development of a nuclear power plant. (Reporting by Muriel Boselli; Writing by Sophie Taylor) ((sophie.taylor@thomsonreuters.com; +33 1 4949 5219; Reuters Messaging: sophie.taylor.reuters.com@reuters.net))