TotalFinaElf has launched basic engineering studies for the Dalia project following approval of the field development scheme. The field is located in Block 17, 135 kilometers offshore Angola in a water depth of around 1,300 meters.

This represents an important step in the ongoing development of Block 17. TotalFinaElf is the operator with a 40% interest, in partnership with ExxonMobil (20%), BP (16.67%), Statoil (13.33%) and Norsk Hydro (10%).

Dalia was discovered in 1997. It is located near the Girassol oil field, which will come on stream in late 2001 and with a peak production target of 200,000 barrels a day of oil. Dalia, like Girassol, but with a higher production potential, will also be equipped with subsea wells and a floating production storage and offloading vessel (FPSO).

The main Dalia contracts are expected to be awarded sometime around the end of 2001, allowing for the field to come on stream in late 2004.

Dalia was the second major discovery in Block 17, after Girassol. Eight other exploration successes have since followed: Rosa, Lirio, Tulipa, Orchidea, Cravo, Camelia, Jasmim and Perpetua.