Italy-based Eni and France-based Total have entered into a special license and R&D cooperation agreement for Eni Slurry Technology (EST), the companies announced on Tuesday.

Officials with both groups said work is already underway to evaluate and tailor the technology to Total's refining requirements.

Eni Slurry Technology (EST) is the most recent refining process for converting heavy feedstock into lighter components. It has been entirely developed in Italy by Eni R&D.

It was first implemented at Eni's Sannazzaro refinery in 2013.

"After two years of successful operation of the Sannazzaro refinery's EST unit, the first of its kind in the world, a new, proven technology is now commercially available to be assessed as an option for upgrading the bottom of the barrel," said Giacomo Rispoli, an executive vice president at Eni. "The technology arrives more than 40 years after the existing processes were first developed and is the result of 15 years of R&D and commercial demonstrations."

Financial terms were not disclosed.

"One of the challenges for refining activities is to keep pace, within an economically viable model, with trends in oil markets, especially those resulting from changing legislation and fuel specifications," said Nathalie Brunelle, senior vice president of strategy, development and research at Total Refining & Chemicals. "This R&D cooperation project with Eni allows Total to enhance its know-how and expertise, and to have access to another proven technology for bottom of the barrel conversion."