TotalFinaElf, the operator, announces the installation of the new satellite platform K4BE in Block K4a, located in the Dutch sector of the North Sea, 135 kilometers northwest of Den Helder. The start-up of gas production from this development (TotalFinaElf 50%, Energie Beheer Nederland B.V. 50%) is planned for the end of this year from an already-drilled exploration well. Four other wells will be drilled and put into production between 2001 and 2004.

The gas will be processed through nearby existing TotalFinaElf facilities and transported on shore via the WGT gas pipeline. Beginning in 2001, the new satellite will have an average production of 1.5 million cubic meters per day. All gas has been sold to Gasunie.

This year, TotalFinaElf’s share of the Group’s overall daily-operated gas production of 23.4 million cubic meters in the Netherlands will be 10.2 million cubic meters per day.