Total is seeking international arbitration regarding a tax disagreement with Uganda.
The debate could delay oil production in the east African country further.
In 2006 the country struck hydrocarbon deposits along its border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The country’s crude reserves are estimated to be around 6.5billion barrels by government geologists.
The French company confirmed it had filed a request for arbitration before the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes.
A spokesman said: “The dispute relates to the imposition of stamp duty by the Uganda Revenue Authority, on the acquisition of Total’s interest in Exploration Area 2”.
The ICSID (International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes) is an arm of the World Bank which facilitates resolution of international disagreements among investors.
Three years ago, Total and CNOOC bought stakes from Tullow in a deal worth $2.9billion.
It allowed both companies to take up a third each in three exploration blocks.
It is not known how much tax is involved in the current dispute.
The Ugandan Government has previously clashed with Heritage Oil over tax, with the company choosing to sell its assets in the region.
Meanwhile Tullow Oil also has an ongoing case at the ICSID.
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