SOCHI, September 19. /ITAR-TASS/. The French Total intends to go ahead with projects  started in Russia prior to the application of sanctions, Russian Energy Minister Aleksander Novak said in a live broadcast of the Russia-24 television channel.

The Minister said, "Total said it was ready to carry on work on the projects already started."

As far as foreign partners concerned, lawyers are doing additional work on sanctions. An individual inquiry into each project is necessary, Novak explained.

Total is a partner of Lukoli, Novatec, and Gazprom for projects in Russia' energy sector.