Chapter 7: After impressive achievement, there is still much to learn and do; TotalFinaElf will soon fit out another giant FPSO for Block 17 for the Dalia field development.

Publication: Oil and Gas Investor

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The Girassol discovery and development is an important milestone in what promises to be a very rewarding future for oil and gas producers and their partners in the deep water off the coast of West Africa.

Girassol has confirmed that industry has proven most of the technology needed to produce a difficult reservoir from beneath very deep water. It has re-emphasized the need for innovative thinking, in both system design and--just as important--in project management strategy.

So is Girassol a model for future West Africa deepwater development?

"I wouldn't say it is a `model' for future development," said Jean-Phillipe Magnan, TotalFinaElf (TFE) director of Block 17. What was important in Girassol was to develop the ability to produce this unique type of reservoir, Magnan said.

"The challenge was the size of the project--to complete the project within the budget and within the time frame. We did this very well, I think," he said. "So perhaps, rather than a `model' for future development, Girassol may be an example for future management courses."

Of one thing, there is doubt: there is much more oil and gas to come from beneath West Africa's deep water. Other discoveries already await...

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