Total, EDF to base LNG terminal in Dunkirk

PARIS, March 8 (Reuters) - Total SA (TOTF.PA) and EDF (EDF.PA) signed an agreement on Monday under which Total will reserve regasification capacity at the planned Dunkirk LNG terminal, near the same town where Total is closing a refinery.

Total will also acquire a stake in Dunkerque LNG, a company currently wholly owned by EDF.

The agreement is part of EDF's global search for partners to reserve regasification capacity at the terminal.

With regasification capacity of between 10 billion and 13 billion cubic meters per year, the terminal being developed by Dunkerque LNG would be able to meet more than 20 percent of French natural gas demand.

Dunkerque LNG will make the final investment decision in summer 2010, with a view to commissioning the plant in 2014.

The project remains subject to the necessary regulatory approvals, successful marketing and construction calls for tenders, the companies said.

Up to 1,200 people will work on the project during the construction phase. Terminal operation would create at least 50 direct jobs, along with an estimated 150 indirect jobs.

(Reporting by Marcel Michelson; Editing by Amanda Cooper)