Total readies for crude price rises after crisis

* Price range for crude not likely to work

* No plan to raise Areva stake

PARIS, July 15 (Reuters) - French oil group Total (TOTF.PA) is readying itself for a likely increase in crude oil prices after the economic crisis is over, Chief Executive Christophe de Margerie told Reuters on Wednesday.

The idea of a "reasonable price range" negotiated with oil producing countries, supported by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, however, was not convincing for technical reasons, Margerie added.

The priority "is to prepare for the upturn in crude oil prices, thus for after the crisis," Margerie said on the margins of a reception at the Elysee Palace, adding that Total wanted to renew and increase its reserves.

Sarkozy wants to fix a price range between countries that produce oil and those that buy it, in order to avoid rapid and large swings in the cost of crude.

"It is the president's role to be proactive and to send a message, but I don't think that the range is doable," Margerie said.

Total does not plan to increase its 1 percent stake in French nuclear reactor maker Areva (CEPFi.PA), meanwhile, and would rather remain an investment partner, the CEO said.

Whilst it could still raise its holding slightly to help if needed, the real issue is to help develop Areva's growth, he added.

"The idea is clearly not for Total to be in nuclear as of tomorrow ... We have to do things one step at a time," Margerie said. "We are not selling (the Areva holding). But if we raise it, it will remain a small percentage." (Reporting by Emmanuel Jarry; Writing by James Regan; Editing by Rupert Winchester)