RE:The French being the French?Great question...
Can't say I have the answer, but here is one possibility as to why they might have done what they did.
Teck in their "desperation" to get rid of their share of Fort Hills sold part of their stake to SU at a significant discount (hence the big writeoff by SU on their share).
Perhaps Total, figured that the price was lower than what they thought it was worth and decided to pick up their option for a future sale at a price they thought it was worth. I suspect in coming to this conclusion they consulted with Migraine as to future of oil (lol). For sure they didn't talk to me...lol.