TotalFinaElf, the operator with 35.8 % interest *, announces that the Production/Utilities/Quarters (PUQ) platform for the production of gas condensates on the Elgin-Franklin development was installed in the Elgin field, 240 kilometers east of Aberdeen in the Central Graben Area of the North Sea. The operation was carried out according to the schedule established at the end of 1999, which calls for production to begin at the end of 2000.

The Elgin and Franklin fields have complex reservoirs of a high pressure (1,100 bars), high temperature (190°) nature and are situated 5,300 meters below sea level. They contain reserves estimated to total nearly 800 million barrels of oil equivalent. Elgin-Franklin is the world’s largest high pressure/high temperature development, which has been possible thanks to the technical competences of the TotalFinaElf teams and their partners.

Construction of the platform was carried out by the TMB Consortium (composed of Technip, MacDermott, Barmac) at Barmac’s dry dock at Nigg in Scotland. It weighs 43,000 tons and is the largest single steel structure ever fabricated for the North Sea.

The installation of the PUQ platform is an important stage in the Elgin-Franklin development and will give TotalFinaElf the possibility to strengthen its position as one of the leading oil and gas producers in the region. Presently, northern Europe accounts for one-fourth of TotalFinaElf’s proved reserves and about one-third of its hydrocarbon production.

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*TotalFinaElf is the operator for an association comprised of E.F. Oil and Gas Ltd (46.5% interest) in which Elf Exploration UK PLC holds a 77.5% interest, Agip (UK) Ltd, BG International Ltd, British Borneo E/F Ltd, Ruhrgas Exploration and Production Ltd, Shell UK Ltd, Esso Exploration and Production UK Ltd, Texaco Britain Ltd and Arco British Ltd.