Total's Pouyanne says earnings will show it is doing well versus peers

By Bate Felix PARIS (Reuters) - French oil and gas major Total will post industry-leading 2016 earnings, Chief Executive Patrick Pouyanne told France Info Radio on Thursday. Rival Royal Dutch Shell said on Thursday it was close to selling assets totalling $5 billion to cut debt following its acquisition of BG Group, as it reported its lowest full-year earnings in more than a decade. Asked if Total will restart investments following the rebound in oil prices, Pouyanne said the company will keep i