FACTBOX-Natural resources and investors in Mauritania

Aug 12 (Reuters) - Several companies producing or exploring for oil, gas, gold or other resources in Mauritania have said their operations were unaffected by a coup that overthrew President Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdallahi on Aug. 6.

Below are details of natural resources projects in the northwest African Islamic state. For story click [ID:nLB5158]

OIL

Mauritania began producing crude oil in February 2006, forecasting output of 75,000 barrels per day (bpd) from the offshore Chinguetti field first opened by Australia's Woodside (WPL.AX) and now operated by Malaysia's Petronas [PETR.UL].

Difficulties extracting oil have resulted in Chinguetti's output falling below 15,000 bpd, but other firms are prospecting in the country.

French oil major Total (TOTF.PA) sold a 20 percent stake in its Taoudenni permit to Qatar Petroleum International in April this year, a month after selling another 20 percent to Algerian oil and gas grup Sonatrach in March. Total is also the operator.

London-listed Tullow Oil (TLW.L) holds interests in eight blocks offshore Mauritania. Since 2000, over 30 exploration, appraisal and development wells have been drilled.