Deepwater development The ultimate frontier - Total.com

. the KNOW-hOW series
ExPLOrATiOn & PrOducTiOn
GraNds deePWater fONds
deVeLOPMeNt
LEs gisEmEnts
thE dE L’ExtrêmE uLtimatE
frontiEr

. CONteNts
deePWater
deVeLOPMeNt
The ulTimaTe
fronTier
s s s
Page 3 fOreWOrd
Page 4 CONtext
deepwater resources will contribute
to the replacement of world oil and gas reserves.
Page 6 ChaLLeNGes
Constant innovation building on the group’s many
deepwater achievements forges total’s leading edge.
Page 8 exPertise
Committed to extracting value from the ocean
depths while maintaining a clear focus on safety and
the environment, total has furthered progress in
deepwater production with a succession of large-scale
breakthroughs and daring development schemes.
P. 10 Learning to understand an uncharted frontier
P. 12 deciphering complex deepwater systems
P. 16 developing deep-sea giants
P. 20 dalia, a new deepwater reference
P. 22 New challenges in the making
Page 26 GrOuP
total worlwide in 2006.
gulf of guinea, angola.

. fOreWOrd
extending the life
of hydrocarbon resources
Total’s Exploration & Production branch
continually pushes oil and gas production
to new limits. Drawing on the complete
integration of its multidisciplinary
expertise, the Group has honed a
capacity for innovation that has secured
its rank among the frontrunners in the
technologies strategic to the future
of the energy industry.
Total’s Exploration & Production branch
is involved in all of the industry’s key
technological challenges, namely,
extra-heavy crude oil, ultra-deepwater
offshore, sour gas, hydrocarbon
resources that are deeply buried (highpressure/high-temperature)
or difficult to
produce because they are in “tight sand”
reservoirs. At the same time, the Group
“Innovation will be the main
driver of sustainable growth
in our production.”
is inventing the tools and techniques
required to access residual reserves
on conventional acreage.
Relying on synergies with other
Group branches operating in the fields
of gas and power, refining and marketing
and petrochemicals, the E&P branch
proposes technological solutions
that cover the complete value chain
from production to finished products
and/or markets.

04
DeePWaTer DeVeloPmenT
s
1. luanda, angola.
Deep offshore
potential
Assuming that nearly half of the
world’s deepwater reserves have
already been discovered, ultimate
deepwater potential is currently
estimated to be on the order of
100 Bboe*. Although this volume
represents but a small portion
of total remaining reserves, it is
equivalent to two years of current
world production, or to the
aggregate of all proven reserves
of the world’s seven largest oil
companies. In other words, for the
few operators leading the way in
the discovery and development
of these challenging resources,
the deep offshore promises
significant opportunities.
* Billion barrels of oil equivalent.
//. CONtext
PrOMisiNG
PoTenTial for
The fuTure
s s s
Deepwater resources will contribute to the replacement
of world oil and gas reserves.
offshore resources have become essential contributors to world energy
supply, accounting for nearly 30% of hydrocarbon liquids production.
in the period from 1999 to 2003, 70% of the new oil and condensate
discoveries were offshore finds, raising the offshore share in world
reserves to 23% for liquids, and 42% for gas*. These figures, which stand
for very significant volumes, refer mainly to the “conventional offshore”
with water depths to 500 meters. reserves in deeper waters make up
a much smaller share in the world total: 4% for liquids, 3% for gas.
however, a number of deepwater “hot spots” – notably in africa, north
america and South america – have accounted for more than 75%
of the economically producible volumes identified in recent years.
With major oil and gas discoveries becoming increasingly rare in the
conventional offshore (water depths to 500 meters), oil companies are
now seeking reserve replacement in the deep (500 to 1,500 meters)
and ultra-deep (deeper than 1,500 meters) offshore. The main
high-potential areas have been pinpointed – off the sprawling estuaries
of the world’s major rivers, notably in the Gulf of mexico, the Gulf of
Guinea and the Brazilian offshore – but only a few oil companies master
the techniques needed to develop them efficiently. long considered
not economically viable, the production of these resources has become
reality through many technological advances and innovations in recent
years, from time-lapse seismic and high-precision drilling to subsea
equipment and surface installations specifically developed for these
extreme challenges. The industry has blazed a trail of progress since
the 1990s. Spearheading this progress with large-scale pioneering
projects, Total has established itself as a global leader in the conquest
of the deep seas. nnn
* Source: IFP (French Petroleum Institute).

06
DeePWaTer DeVeloPmenT
s
Total continues to consolidate
its leadership in nigeria, with the
akpo and usan field developments.
The triumphs of Block 17
The Group has scored spectacular
exploration success in Angola’s
deepwater Block 17, with some
fifteen discoveries since 1996.
The development of these fields
is currently focusing on three
production zones:
– Girassol has included
production from Jasmim since
November 2003, Rosa will be
//. ChaLLeNGes
at the fOrefrONt
of The inDuSTry
s s s
Constant innovation building on the Group’s many
deepwater achievements forges Total’s leading edge.
angola’s Girassol field lies in water depths of 1,400 meters. Total
brought this deepwater giant on stream at end 2001, signaling the
Group’s expertise in the mastery of such complex projects as well as the
technological challenges of deepwater production. These feats earned
Total the industry’s highest awards for excellence. in 2003, the Jasmim
field was tied back to the Girassol fPSo (floating Production, Storage
and offloading vessel). The success of Girassol and the Jasmim satellite
development paved the way for other ambitious projects like Dalia, the
new benchmark for the development of angola’s deep offshore. Dalia
came on stream at end 2006 and should reach a plateau production
level of 240,000 b/d in 2007. Building on this know-how, the Group has
scored further breakthroughs in angola’s Block 17 but also in the Gulf of
mexico, with matterhorn and Canyon express. To achieve these multiple
victories, Total developed new-generation, giant fPSo vessels, special
riser towers and flexible risers, purpose-designed subsea installations
and “smart completions.” The Group is now proving its leadership
through a continuing series of deepwater and ultra-deepwater
developments in Congo (moho Bilondo), angola (Pazflor, CloV, and
Block 32), and nigeria (akpo and usan).
Drawing on the comprehensive expertise of its r&D teams and its
culture of constant innovation, Total is overcoming technological barriers
to implement increasingly complex developments and optimize project
profitability. major research objectives are “all-electric” subsea systems
and subsea gas/liquids separators to boost recovery rates, the aim
being to have the deep offshore contribute 10% to Group-operated oil
production by 2008. nnn
tied into the system in 2007;
– Dalia is in the process of
installation, and first oil was
achieved on December 13, 2006;
– Pazflor, now in the front-end
study phase, will pool production
from Perpetua, Zinia, Hortensia,
and Acacia.
By 2011, these three zones
together are expected to produce
700,000 b/d. A fourth production
zone is under consideration
at present, with the construction
of a stand-alone FPSO for the
development of Cravo, Lirio,
Orquidea, and Violeta (CLOV).
Plans call for these fields
to be successively tied back,
guaranteeing a stable
production level.

Rio Grande
deepwater production
deepwater development
Deepwater fields operated by Total
field: 1. Matterhorn
total’s interest: 100 %
technical solution: tLP
Plateau production: 25,000 b/d
first oil: 2003
Les champs du bloc 17
2. Gotcha
70% – fEEd *
3. akpo
24% – fPso – 225,000 boe/d – 2008
4. usan
20% – fPso – 150,000 boe/d – 2010
5. Moho Bilondo
53.5% – fPu – 90,000 b/d – 2008
6. MtPs
40% – fEEd
7. Block 32
30% – fEEd
8. CLOV
40% – fEEd
The 15 discoveries and their production capacity on Block 17, Angola
07
9. Girassol/Jasmim/rosa
40% – fPso – 250,000 b/d – 2007
10. dalia
40% – fPso – 240,000 b/d – 2006
11. Pazflor
40% – fPso – 200,000 b/d – 2010
* Front-end engineering design.

. exPertise
CONqueriNG
thE uLtra-dEEP
offshorE
s s s
in the late 1990s, more and more discoveries were made
in ultra-deep waters. huge finds in key areas set off
a new momentum that stimulated major r&d investments.
With breakthroughs that secured the success of Girassol
and dalia (angola) then Canyon express (Gulf of Mexico)
in 2,200 meters of water, total demonstrated its capacities
to continue pushing back the limits of possibility.

10
DeePWaTer DeVeloPmenT
s
Better conservation
through better
understanding
The Zaiango program launched
in 1997 revealed two distinct
and distinctive types of deep-sea
benthic ecosystems: detrital
ecosystems feeding on surface
primary production and
nutrients carried by the Congo
River, and chemosynthetic
ecosystems associated with
cold seeps and characterized
by specific fauna. The program
also permitted in situ testing
of the response of these
ecosystems to disruptions
related to oil activities.
//. exPertise
LearNiNG
to undErstand
an unChartEd
frontiEr
s s s
until the end of the 20th century, deep continental
margins had largely remained unexplored. Total’s
involvement in deepwater exploration has contributed to
better understanding of these frontier environments
and their delicate ecological balance.
oceans cover 360 million square kilometers of the earth’s surface.
yet only a minute part of this vast area is relatively accessible and well
documented: the continental shelves in shallow seas. When companies decided
to move into deeper waters, oil exploration became a true opportunity for
scientific discovery. for Total, to meet the challenges of deepwater production
in accordance with the Group’s environmental values, the first step was to
expand its knowledge of these deep seas – the world’s last unexplored frontiers.
in the late 1990s, Total launched two large-scale partnership programs with
the french marine research institute ifremer to explore deepwater
geological systems as well as benthic ecosystems.
ZaiaNGO: MaPPiNG the dePths Of the GuLf
Of GuiNea
The Zaiango Project carried out between 1998 and 2001 involved
extensive surveys of a 200,000-square-kilometer area in the Gulf of
Guinea, offshore Zaire, angola and Congo (hence the acronym Zaiango).
The focus of the different campaigns was both geological (studies of the
turbidite system of the deep submarine fan, analysis of sediment
instabilities) and bio-environmental (studies to enhance understanding
of the benthic ecosystems). in cooperation with ifremer, some 4,200 line
kilometers of high resolution (hr) 2D seismic profiles were acquired in
water depths that in some parts exceeded 4,000 meters. The images
obtained served to establish the first maps of the seafloor in this area,
notably of the submarine fan of the Congo river, which was studied by
means of geological cross-sections and samples. The wealth of data
collected gave insight into the formation mechanisms involved in
turbidite systems. Data also provided clues as to the sequential history
of the submarine fan, and advanced understanding of ancient reservoirs,
formed through the same processes of sedimentation, thus helping to
pinpoint the most promising areas.
BiOZaire: eNhaNCiNG uNderstaNdiNG
Of deeP-sea eCOsysteMs
in addition to Zaiango, Total and ifremer launched another project, the
Biozaire cruise, in 1999. The latter aimed to enhance knowledge of the
benthic ecosystems and the spatial and temporal variability of their fauna
in the extreme conditions prevailing in the submarine fan of the Congo
river. in these water depths ranging from 400 to 4,000 meters, the lack
of light prevents photosynthesis, temperatures can be lower than 4°C,

and hydrostatic pressure as high as 400 bar. This unique and sensitive
environment hosts exceptional ecosystems. The Total and ifremer teams
discovered a site named regab extending over 800 meters squared and
providing habitat to remarkable faunal communities of various large-sized
species. The discovery prompted a systematic and detailed description
of the benthic fauna and its physical and chemical environment.
While this now completed program was aimed primarily at developing
a comprehensive characterization that would provide greater insight into
these ecosystems, a key benefit for Total was to be able to draw up the
most complete inventory possible to serve as an environmental baseline
during and on completion of exploration and production activities.
CONtrOLLiNG eNVirONMeNtaL iMPaCt
Total’s objective and commitment as a responsible operator is to come
to terms with this uniquely luxuriant, fragile and inhospitable environment
while preserving its ecological balance. Before starting up any project in
the field, the Group systematically establishes an environmental baseline,
a benchmark that it uses to ensure optimal preservation of biodiversity in
the vicinity of its developments, from the first exploration drilling through
to the complete dismantling of the production facilities on termination
of the activities.
With monitoring at regular intervals, the teams involved are able to define
the actual impact of these activities on deepwater biotopes. at the nkossa
site in Congo, monitoring was notably used to track changes over time
in the distribution patterns and evolution of the local fauna and flora in
waters receiving drilling mud discharge. Sampling was carried out around
the different facilities (two platforms and a production barge) and
measurements were taken in different surveys conducted in 1995, 2000,
2002 and 2003. The results showed a gradual but appreciable reduction
of the operational impact, as reflected in the recolonization of the habitat
by the most sensitive of the species initially present. nnn
Continental slope, Gulf of Guinea
(cross-section).
Adapting activities
to the deepwater
environment
On the continental slope –
the pathway for sediment
transit to the abyssal plain –
oil production requires special
attention to the risk of
submarine landslides. Recent
advances in deep-sea mapping
and imaging have led to the
discovery of “pockmarks,”
craters measuring 20 to
600 meters in diameter, formed
by eruptions of cold fluids.
Because phenomena associated
with pockmarks are thought
to be a potentially major cause
of continental slope instability,
Total is carrying out studies
of these little-documented topics
in order to maintain maximum
safety in extreme conditions.

12
DeePWaTer DeVeloPmenT
s
a ship towing seismic streamers.
//. exPertise
deCiPheriNG
ComPlex
DeePWaTer SySTemS
s s s
To meet the complex challenges of deepwater
production on continental slopes, often in submarine
canyons, detailed knowledge of the nature of the
sub-seafloor and the sedimentary processes involved
is a prerequisite. Total optimizes deepwater reservoir
studies by drawing on the interdisciplinary strengths
of its Geosciences teams and new advances in imaging.
With drilling costs of 10 to 60 million dollars per borehole
depending on the circumstances, deepwater development demands
extremely precise and thorough preliminary reservoir studies.
These challenges are addressed by the Group’s three “Specialty”
sections, encompassing Geology, Geophysics, and reservoir
engineering. Collectively, Total teams forge innovative solutions
for even the most complex configurations.
Turbidite complexes
Turbidite reservoirs in the
deep offshore are formed through
sediment accumulation in deep
waters, off the mouth of large
rivers or alluvial systems.
The sediments are erosion
material carried by the streams
from the continent to the sea,
then transported into the abyssal
depths by great submarine
landslides that can travel several
hundred kilometers in a few hours.
At the foot of such systems,
the sediments generally spread
into a network of valleys,
forming channels. At the
farthest extremities, the turbidity
currents in the channels feed
non-channelized sediment
accumulations called “distal
lobes.” Very extensive sandstone
bodies – excellent hydrocarbon
reservoirs – can thus be found
far from shore.

LarGe-sCaLe GeOsCieNCe PrOJeCts
To explore the hydrocarbon potential of deep continental margins,
seismic surveys are indispensable for the acquisition of data to clarify
sediment geology and identify reservoir facies.
in the deepwater setting, hydrocarbon reservoirs are most often found in
turbidite deposits, giant sedimentary systems that form off the mouths
of large rivers (see box opposite). The work by the Geosciences teams
to advance understanding of these complex reservoirs serves a dual
purpose: to identify potential targets for exploration, and to optimize
hydrocarbon recovery during production.
Potential reservoirs are identified by means of high-resolution 2D
seismic surveys. Then the most promising “sweet spots” are imaged
using advanced 3D seismic, which defines the reservoir geometry very
precisely. all reflectors can be clearly represented in three dimensions
with high-resolution 3D seismic – a technology used over Girassol in
angola’s deep offshore as of 1999.
hiGh-effiCieNCy seisMiC tOOLs
in 2002, a high-resolution 4D seismic survey was carried out over
Girassol to optimize development. This time-lapse technology
combining baseline and repeat measurements revealed the dynamic
behavior of reservoir fluids during production, oil-water contact
extension and reservoir compartmentalization, as well as the efficiency
of gas re-injection.
Constant improvements in tools for seismic data acquisition go hand
in hand with advances in producing and interpreting seismic profiles.
for these purposes, the Group’s r&D teams have developed the ultra
far amplitude map, a series of exclusive methods and algorithms to
extract maximum information from seismic signals. These algorithms
have notably shown their efficiency in angola’s deepwater Block 17,
where they were applied to image oligocene sand facies. With this
optimized processing, lithologies could be differentiated in areas where
conventional seismic left blind spots, as confirmed on site with a new
discovery well: acacia-1.
pp
The Western Regent seismic vessel
in the Gulf of Guinea.
4D seismic images
of the Girassol field.

14
DeePWaTer DeVeloPmenT
s
1. The acacia field was discovered
thanks to aVo reprocessing.
Subsalt visualization
//. exPertise
pp
In seismic surveys, the salt accumulations often
associated with sedimentary targets considerably
affect the seismic signal, preventing visualization
of the underlying series. For this challenge,
Total teams have developed a full Pre-Stack Depth
Migration (PSDM) approach that clarifies the
in highly deformed geological settings, such advanced
processing methods are indispensable. in Congo’s ultra-deep Mer Très
Profonde Sud (mTPS) permit, the many salt diapirs that cut and deform
the sedimentary layers have given rise to oil traps in the immediate
peripheral area, which conventional seismic imaged very poorly. By
applying PSDm (Pre-Stack Depth migration) methods, the Group’s
geologists and geophysicists successfully brought these resistant areas
into clear view. They were also able to recognize “flat spots” in the
vicinity of salt bodies, which are potential hydrocarbon indicators
and thus valuable guides for exploration.
1a 1b
2a 2b 2c
behavior of the seismic wave in the salt intervals and
makes it possible to distinguish the subsalt reflectors.
The successful application of this technique in
Angola’s Block 32 points to opportunities for new
discoveries in configurations previously inaccessible
by way of seismic.
Processing of the same seismic section using conventional (2a), PSTm (2b), and PSDm (2c) methods. The latter technique
highlighted flat spots in the vicinity of salt bodies.

3
4
uNderstaNdiNG thrOuGh MOdeLiNG
for most detailed reservoir understanding, Total develops large-scale
means for modeling to interpret the mass of seismic data. numerical
geological models and reservoir models thus correlate seismic
horizons, drilling information, well log data, and hypotheses established
by geologists. These powerful tools for data integration and visualization
are particularly valuable for monitoring and predicting dynamic changes
in the reservoir during production. The akpo project in nigeria
exemplifies the scope of modeling achievements: for this challenging
field with channel reservoirs, the complete geological model built
from the synthesis of all data enhanced understanding of the reservoir
complexities and reduced uncertainties to optimize future development
opportunities. nnn
Stages of reservoir modeling
5a 5b
5a. reservoir model (parameters : porosity, Vclay, Sw, pressure…). 5b. Petro-elastic model
(parameters : rhob, Vp, Vs). 5c. Synthetic 4D seismic data for interpretation.
3. Seismic imaging is used to
visualize the complex reservoirs
of the akpo field, nigeria.
4. a model of the akpo reservoirs.
5c
months
months
15

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DeePWaTer DeVeloPmenT
s
1. Pride Africa is one of two drill rigs
purpose-built for Block 17.
Drilling with higher
and higher precision
Sharply deviated wells with
near-horizontal trajectories
in the reservoir, extending an
average of 1,100 meters in
heterogeneous formations:
drilling the 71 wells for the
Dalia field offshore Angola is a
challenge of the highest order.
This Herculean campaign
mobilized two rigs purpose-built
for operations on Block 17 – the
Pride Africa and the Pride Angola.
Both are equipped with dynamic
positioning systems, dispensing
with the need for an anchoring
system. Very precise tracing
of the well trajectories was
achieved using a tool such as
Sismage for geological and
geophysical interpretation. For
Dalia, this was of key importance
to maximize production from
channelized sediments, whose
thickness ranges from 5 to
80 meters. One major innovation
is the large-scale use of drillthrough
horizontal Christmas
trees, guaranteeing substantial
savings in drilling and well
operations.
//. exPertise
deVeLOPiNG
dEEP-sEa giants
s s s
on Girassol and Dalia in angola as well as Canyon express in
the Gulf of mexico, Total has demonstrated the scope of its
innovative know-how in the deep offshore. Building on its
expertise in managing major projects, the Group is continuing
along the path to new deepwater development success,
pushing the limits of possibility every step of the way.
1
ever since offshore production began in the 1920s and 1930s, from the
shores of the Caspian Sea to lake maracaibo in Venezuela, the oil industry
has continuously expanded its know-how so as to tackle increasingly
greater depths. With the installation of platforms offshore africa and in
the Gulf of mexico in the 1960s, then large-scale north Sea oil and gas
development during the following two decades, offshore activities reached
the industrial stage. But it is now, in the wake of the high-potential
deepwater discoveries of the 1990s, that operators are coming to grips
with the most extreme challenges.
sOLutiONs fOr extreMe CONditiONs
in every deep offshore project, the fundamental challenge revolves
around the complexities of drilling in such deep waters. Wells can be
drilled in waters deeper than 3,000 meters by using rigs equipped with
dynamic positioning systems, but the cost of such campaigns is
considerable – nearly half a million dollars per day – prompting
operators to seek lower-cost options whenever possible. on the
Donggala field in indonesia, Total thus implemented a surface blowout
preventer (SBoP) with improved design, an effective solution making it
possible to use lighter and less costly equipment and installations
for drilling operations (see opposite). The Group’s successful solutions
for containing the time and cost of drilling campaigns also include
audacious drilling strategies: matterhorn in the Gulf of mexico is one

2
prominent example. By deviating the well trajectory only a few meters
below the mudline, where the sediment is only lightly consolidated, a
number of wells can be drilled with the inclination required to reach the
different targets. Without needing to move the drilling rig, the drainage
area of the platform is thus increased by the use of deviated wells.
Since no platform can rest on the ocean floor in waters deeper than
420 meters, Total has developed a palette of solutions adapted to
different contexts. for matterhorn, the innovative solution was a world
first – a mini TlP (Tension leg Platform), the first such TlP to produce
through dry tree risers. alternative solutions are semi-submersible
platforms or fPSos: in West africa and in Brazil, the use of these
gigantic barges which carry all the production, storage and offloading
units on board, is now becoming more widespread. When Total
pioneered this development on Girassol in 2001, the fPSo built for
the project was the largest such vessel ever built for a deepwater
development, with a storage capacity of 2 million barrels and production
modules weighing a total of nearly 25,000 metric tons.
4
pp
2. The development scheme for
the moho-Bilondo field, Congo.
3
3. TlP (Tension leg Platform)
on matterhorn, Gulf of mexico, uSa.
4. With the use of a surface blow-out
preventer (SBoP), drilling can be
performed by lighter-weight, less
costly equipment.

18
DeePWaTer DeVeloPmenT
s
1
2
Two examples of geosteering using
Sismage on the Jasmim (1) and
Dalia (2) fields of Block 17, angola.
//. exPertise
hiGh-PerfOrMaNCe GeOsteeriNG
With sisMaGe
Continuously enhanced since 1984 and deployed in all Total e&P
subsidiaries, Sismage is an “in-house” interpretation tool that is
unequaled worldwide. initially focused on geophysical and geological
interpretation, its scope of application has been considerably expanded
and now covers the whole interpretation chain, from the design of
seismic acquisition surveys to reservoir modeling. The latest extension
is Well Design, a common platform for geophysicists, geologists and
drillers that adds geosteering functionality to Sismage as well. With
geosteering, which “superimposes” seismic data and the geological
layers drilled, in real time, Well Design helps to optimize well
trajectories. for the Jasmim field in angola’s Block 17, this technique
was used in 2004 to drill horizontal drains 600 to 1,000 meters long
in reservoir layers no more than 5 to 10 meters thick, buried at a depth
of 2,700 meters.
in addition to offering advantages in terms of speed, geosteering on
Jasmim also translated into savings in terms of investment cost and
preparation time.
fLOW assuraNCe: a MuLti-disCiPLiNary aPPrOaCh
Given the low temperatures and great depths involved in deepwater
production, ensuring the integrity of subsea flowlines as well as efficient
delivery to the surface also poses complex challenges. Total’s flow
assurance program addresses the full scope of these challenges, with
multi-disciplinary teams working on aspects such as the sizing of
flowlines and risers, fluid flow analysis, and assessment of heat loss.
With the aim of preventing hydrate formation that can cause plugging
in case of scheduled or unexpected production standstills, the Group
has also launched a study program aimed at designing innovative risers
that will keep the fluids warm when flow stops.
another means of preventing hydrate formation is to inject an inhibitor:
for Canyon express in the Gulf of mexico, methanol was used for
that purpose.
safety: a CONstaNt PriOrity
Deepwater development sets truly formidable tests for the oil industry:
isolated in the deep seas, far away from shore, the projects demand
logistics of the highest order, and human resources on par with the
scale of the installations. for Total, with fPSo-based projects, that
means building a huge “floater” to house all the units and installations
for production, processing, storage and offloading, plus the living
quarters. To guarantee optimal safety conditions, the design plan must
take an array of factors into account, from the development scheme
(subsea production systems or “dry” wellheads, risers) to the offloading
and export option (loading buoy, onshore pipeline), as well as key

3
aspects like the weather conditions in the production area.
With Girassol, Total has fully demonstrated the scope of its safety
commitments: this fPSo, which can produce over 240,000 barrels per
day and store 2 million barrels of oil, has been operating since 2001
without a single significant incident. moreover, the Group successfully
achieved the tie-back of the satellite rosa to the Girassol fPSo without
shutting down production. an indicator of the efficient safety procedures
implemented is also the fact that recordable incidents per million
man-hours dropped from 10 in 2001 to 2.59 in 2005.
reCOGNiZed exPertise iN MaNaGiNG
MaJOr PrOJeCts
Two key features of deepwater development projects are their significant
investment requirements and their extreme complexity. at Total, nothing
is left to chance. To secure uninterrupted production, major efforts
focus on enhancing process reliability, including building in the
necessary redundancy. Subsea equipment must meet demanding
specifications for operational flexibility and performance: the subsea
system is segmented into separate sub-assemblies; it must be possible
to take an individual unit offline and then easily reconnect it.
Total has earned its leadership credentials with a constantly expanding
portfolio of outstanding achievements. first on the list was Girassol –
150 kilometers offshore angola in water depths of 1,400 meters –
one of the world’s largest deepwater development projects. acclaimed
with the 2003 oTC (offshore Technology Conference) Distinguished
achievement award, the development scheme for Girassol was based
on 39 subsea wells and 11 subsea manifolds connected with
145 kilometers of flow lines installed on the seabed. in this early
pioneer period when the necessary technologies were still to be
invented, the Group met these challenges in record time – the field was
brought on stream in 2001, just five years after its discovery (1996).
Total is now putting this know-how to work on moho Bilondo (Congo)
and Dalia (angola), soon to be followed by Pazflor (angola) as well
as usan and akpo (nigeria). nnn
3. With its sucessful developments
of angola’s Girassol and Dalia fields,
Total has consolidated its leading
edge in the area of deep offshore
know-how.
Record growth for
subsea development
Total will post the highest rate
of subsea development of all
the international oil and gas
companies by 2010, when it
will be operating 340 subsea
completions and have
partnership interests in
production from a further
110 completions. The main
driver of its record growth
has been the Group’s massive
investment in deep offshore
production, for which eight
projects are under study or
in development in the Gulf
of Guinea.

20
DeePWaTer DeVeloPmenT
s
Flexible
production risers
Eight risers carry the oil from
the seafloor to the surface and are
no doubt the most spectacular
feature of Dalia’s subsea transport
system. The biggest production
risers ever built, composed of ten
superimposed layers, they are
1,650 meters long, weigh nearly
800 metric tons, and have an outer
diameter that reaches a record
590 millimeters (23 inches). For
the first time, the 12-inch riser core
was integrated into a bundle with
a built-in gas lift injection system.
The stimulus for this performance
was thermal constraint: it would
have been technically impossible
to insulate separate gas lift
lines unless they were heated
constantly. The alternative
of integrating these lines into
the production riser provides
dual benefits, taking advantage
of the heat transferred from the
production flow while insulating
the system as a whole.
//. exPertise
daLia,
a nEw dEEPwatEr
rEfErEnCE
s s s
high-viscosity oil, deep waters, complex and
unconsolidated reservoirs are among Dalia’s challenges.
in response, Total, Sonangol and the partners
on Block 17 devised an innovative development scheme
and designed installations able to secure a production
of 240,000 barrels of oil per day, confirming
the Group’s leadership in deepwater conditions.
COMPLex GeOLOGiCaL CONfiGuratiONs
Dalia, a 1997 discovery, lies 135 kilometers offshore angola in water
depths ranging from 1,200 to 1,500 meters, over an area of about
230 square kilometers. formed more than twenty million years ago
through the accumulation of sediments at the mouth of the Congo river,
the Dalia reservoirs are turbidites, like all others in Block 17.
Transported into deep waters under the effects of a powerful canyon
river system, these turbidite sediments spread in and along extensive
distributary channels on the ocean floor. Dalia is a grouping of four main
lower miocene and middle miocene reservoirs buried 700 to 900 meters
below the seafloor and holding heavy, acidic oil.
a GiGaNtiC deVeLOPMeNt
Total, Sonangol and the partners on Block 17 have devised a production
scheme that makes Dalia one of the largest deepwater developments
worldwide. The 71-well subsea production system includes 37 producers
that feed into four production loops via nine manifolds. Stimulated by gas
lift, the produced fluids are transported through eight flexible risers using
iPB (integrated Production Bundle) technology to the fPSo (floating
1

2
Production, Storage and offloading vessel) – one of the largest ever built.
This network, which transports the fluids from the seafloor to the surface,
is more than 53 kilometers long. in addition, there are two other networks:
one for water injection, one for gas injection. four flexible risers, each
1,650 meters long, reinject treated produced water and treated seawater
into the reservoirs, along 35 kilometers of injection lines that feed into
31 water injection wells — a daily injection capacity of 405,000 barrels
of water. The associated gas produced along with the oil is reinjected into
the reservoirs via two flexible risers connected to two injection lines
and three gas injection wells, adding up to a subsea gas injection system
more than 13 kilometers long, with a compression capacity of up to 8 million
cubic meters of gas per day.
a 75-kilometer network of umbilicals transmits the data from a continuous
monitoring and control system that will coordinate production and allow
this sprawling subsea complex to ramp up to a plateau of 240,000 barrels
of oil per day by 2007. Production is exported to a loading buoy moored
2,100 meters from the fPSo.
NeW teChNOLOGiCaL BreaKthrOuGhs
The many challenges of producing such difficult reserves in such an
extreme environment and under economically viable conditions demanded
a series of innovations. for the first time on this scale, the drilling and well
completion concepts deployed on Dalia combined the technology
of horizontal subsea Christmas trees with light well architecture.
With each manifold designed to connect up to six wells, installing
the seabed equipment, with remote guidance from the surface, demanded
high-precision: subsea flowlines and connections had to be installed in
a congested zone under 1,400 meters of water. above all, thermal issues
called on the Group’s full range of leading-edge expertise and inspired
a number of new developments to meet the challenges of flow assurance
for Dalia’s inherently cold and heavy oil in such severe pressure and
temperature conditions. advances include the largest flexible production
risers ever built — the first using integrated Production Bundle technology
— as well as an insulation system for the flowlines that ranks as one
of the most efficient worldwide. nnn
1. The Dalia field development
scheme on Block 17, angola.
2. The Dalia fPSo vessel is
300 meters long and 60 meters
wide, with accommodations
for up to 190 people.
Dalia milestones
September 1997:
Discovery of the Dalia field.
April 2003: Launch of
the Dalia project.
January 2004: Beginning
of FPSO hull construction.
June 2004: Start of FPSO
topsides fabrication.
August 2004: Launch
of the FPSO hull in Korea.
February 2005: Start of the
drilling campaign and shipment
of the first two subsea Christmas
trees from Norway to Angola.
May 2005: Start of topsides
installation on FPSO hull.
September 2005:
First IPB risers shipped
from France to Angola.
December 2005: Start
of offshore installation work.
September 2006: Arrival
of FPSO in Angola.
December 2006: First oil
on the Dalia field.

22
DeePWaTer DeVeloPmenT
s
Planned subsea oil-water
separation installation
for the Girassol field.
//. exPertise
NeW ChaLLeNGes
in thE maKing
s s s
Canyon Express, a successful deepsea solution
Producing in water depths of
2,250 meters since September
2002, Canyon Express offshore
Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico
holds the world record for
deepsea production. This
development illustrates an
original solution for the
production of marginal fields.
now operating in water depths of 1,500 meters, Total
continues its conquest of the ultra-deep offshore
with constant advances in its already leading-edge
technology. from all-electric systems, subsea separation
and artificial lift to new composites, the Group is
exploring all areas in search of maximum performance
to meet the challenges ahead.
access to resources in deeper waters requires fundamental changes
in all aspects of offshore production. major advances are expected
in subsea pumping, separation and processing systems and the
techniques for installing them on the seabed. in these areas,
important technological thresholds are still to be crossed, notably
to maximize the service life and reliability of the equipment.
suBsea PrOCessiNG
one promising track for improving subsea installations is the
“all-electric” solution: all-electric subsea installations are more
reliable and easier to operate than hydraulic systems. for the
long-distance transmission of the large quantities of electric energy
required, a key challenge not yet fully resolved, research programs
and qualification tests for different equipment are in progress. Subsea
oil-water separation is another strategic research target. Separating
oil and water on the seafloor would greatly lessen the volumes of
water to be treated by the surface facilities, eliminate the major flow
assurance problem caused by hydrate formation, reduce injection
requirements for gas lift, and permit lower wellhead pressure, thus
optimizing the rate of recovery. Various programs are under way to
evaluate the efficiency of gravity, electrostatic coalescence and
cyclonic separation techniques.
A 91-kilometer subsea multiphase
transport system carries the
hydrocarbons from the three
fields involved, operated by three
different companies, to a
platform installed at a depth of
100 meters. Total allocates the
portion of hydrocarbons due to
each company through metering
at the source, using purposedeveloped
multiphase flow
meters. With this solution
coupling technological innovation
and business efficiency, the
Group opened access to three
fields for which stand-alone
development would not have
been economically viable.

Multipurpose optical fibers
Optical fiber is known for its
exceptional capacity to carry light
over long distances, which makes
it an outstanding channel for data
transmission. On Dalia, a fiber
optic link will be installed
between the loading buoy and
the FPSO for rapid data exchange.
Engraving an interference
network on the fiber also makes
it extremely sensitive to many
physical phenomena like
pressure, temperature, and
acoustic vibrations. Studies are
under way to develop fiber optic
sensors of this kind to measure
multiphase flow (the respective
flows of oil, water and gas) as well
as acoustic vibrations. Currently
operating with two phases
(oil and water), this technology
is being researched to allow
three-phase application (water,
gas and oil). A Bragg grating
sensitive to acoustic vibrations
has been developed and tested
with success at the Izaute site
in France. In the future, P waves,
S waves and guided waves will be
used to characterize fractures,
paving the way to improved
monitoring of hydraulic fractures
and all seismic phenomena.
In time, this research may lead
to the permanent installation
of multipurpose fiber optic
rePLaCiNG steeL
The latest addition to the list of technological challenges involves
the replacement of steel with synthetic or composite materials.
Steel has traditionally been used for mooring systems. however,
despite its inherent advantages of stability, strength and reliability,
the weight of the steel cables needed to moor an fPSo in deeper
waters imposes significant dimensional constraints for the fPSo
and the installation equipment. using synthetics in some parts of the
mooring lines would considerably reduce the weight. among the
potential options that have been researched and exhaustively tested
are high modulus polyethylene (hmPe), aramid, and polyester. hmPe
has emerged as the best candidate: markedly stiffer than polyester,
it is not affected by high water pressure or prone to accelerated aging.
one drawback is its high creep rate, leading to elongation of the
mooring lines over time.
in partnership with ifremer and with the backing of france’s
hydrocarbons support fund (Fonds de soutien aux hydrocarbures),
the Group’s r&D teams are conducting large-scale studies for
the development of molecular formulations that will limit this
phenomenon. Carbon fiber composites have already made their way
in the aerospace industry and are poised to play a key role in the
ultra-deep offshore as well, for lighter mooring systems and risers.
These materials also hold high potential for building lighter subsea
separators that are nevertheless sufficiently robust to withstand
deepsea water pressure. pp
sensors for continuous
monitoring of most of the key
parameters of oil reservoirs.
Such tools would be particularly
valuable for well management
in the deep and ultra-deep
offshore, where depth and
pressure create conditions that
make temporary deployment
difficult.

24 //. exPertise
DeePWaTer DeVeloPmenT
s
Two standard models
of subsea pumps.
pp
PaZfLOr, PerfeCtiNG sOLutiONs tOday
fOr tOMOrrOW’s ChaLLeNGes
The development of Pazflor in angola’s Block 17, currently under
study, offers a complex combination of challenges: four fields with
two different types of oil for a single fPSo (floating Production,
Storage and offloading vessel); a production zone extending over an
area of 30 x 20 kilometers; water depths ranging from 800 to 1,200
meters; wells spaced more than 20 kilometers apart.... The oil from
the acacia field is much the same as the oil from Girassol. But
hortensia, Perpetua and Zinia hold heavy oil that precludes eruptive
production and makes recovery extremely challenging.
The development plan for Pazflor is thus based on a floating
production facility (fPSo) for oil processing, storage and offloading,
together with a subsea separation and processing system comprising
several wells and three subsea separation units.
for the first time in a project of such scale, the teams will lift
production with a subsea system that will go into service
simultaneously with first oil, using equipment installed on the
seafloor. This artificial lift, using subsea pumps, must be preceded by
gas-liquid separation. This stage is indispensable for two reasons:
excessive quantities of gas in the fluid can cause pump cavitation,
and a multiphase flow could create major pressure loss farther down
the line. Particularly strict specifications have been set: gas content
at the separator outlet must not exceed the critical threshold specified
for each type of pump selected – an extreme challenge when dealing
with such viscous oil (between 17 and 20° aPi for the miocene levels
of hortensia, Perpetua and Zinia). The Group’s teams are also working
on prototypes for gas-tolerant pumps (gas content: 15%) and on
high-performance multiphase pumps.
aN exaCtiNG test PrOGraM
To perfect such separation and pumping systems, Total has
undertaken an exacting test and qualification program with its
suppliers. as this equipment is to be installed in water depths of
800 meters for many years of continuous operation, it must be
perfectly reliable yet also easy to access for servicing after
installation on the seafloor.
major r&D efforts will be deployed to fulfill the extremely demanding
specifications and standards, and to secure the durability and longterm
reliability of the project. one aim, for example, is to develop
installations able to generate and transmit the necessary energy for
the subsea pumping and subsea separation units (SSu), each of which
is composed of different modules, weighs 400 metric tons, measures
15 x 15 x 25 meters, and requires an installed capacity of 5 mW. The
Pazflor project will have three such units: one on each of the upper
miocene fields. The r&D teams will also work on the design of the

Acacia
Gas export
risers and umbilicals. With distances of several kilometers between
the different units and the wells, it is important to guarantee a reliable
and durable link between the installations and up to the fPSo at the
surface. in addition to performance, the development scheme must
meet the environmental requirements set by the Group, such as no
flaring: the gas that is produced will be reinjected and/or exported.
exported gas could supply a future lnG (liquefied natural gas) facility
that is planned in the Soyo area.
With Pazflor, Total undertakes a new commitment for outstanding
technical and human achievements. for these accomplishments, the
Group can capitalize on the experience gained with Girassol and Dalia,
where Total broke new ground through technological innovation to
achieve major advances in the deep offshore. The same engagement
and pioneer spirit now drive the Pazflor project. among the companies
with the capacities to produce ultra-deep offshore resources, the
Group thus consolidates its leading place.nnn
2
FPSO
oil capacity: 200,000 b/day
Liquids capacity: 350,000 b/day
gas compression capacity:
4.3 mm 3 /day
water injection capacity:
390,000 b/day
Hortensia
Acacia and Acacia West
oligocene – 14 wells (7 producers, 5 water
injectors, 2 gas injectors) – 38 km of 10”
production lines including risers – 38 km of
10” gas and water injection lines including
risers – 2 manifolds with 4 slots
fLEt P10ft1
Perpetua
Oil export
Perpetua, Zinia and Hortensia
miocene – 32 wells (19 producers, 13
water injectors) – 25 km of 10” production
lines including risers – 23 km of 10” water
injection lines including risers – 3 subsea
separators and 6 subsea pumps
Development scheme
for the Pazflor field.
The subsea separation unit S10.
Zinia

26
DeePWaTer DeVeloPmenT
s
Exploration
& Production
in figures – 2006
Workforce: 13,624 employees
(31 December 2006).
Investments: e9 billion.
Oil and gas production:
2.36 Mboe/d.
Proven oil and gas reserves:
11.12 Bboe.
Operations in more
than 40 countries.
Leading oil and gas producer
in Africa.
Second-largest hydrocarbon
producer in the Middle East.
Partner in 5 gas liquefaction
plants accounting for nearly
40% of global LNG production.
//. GrOuP
tOtaL
worLdwidE
in 2006
s s s
Present in more than 130 countries, Total is one of
the most dynamic players in the global oil and gas industry,
with a number of truly major technological and economic
achievements to its credit.
aCtiVities iN eVery seGMeNt Of the OiL
aNd Gas seCtOr
in addition to its prominent positions in oil and gas exploration and
production, gas and power, trading and transmission, and refining and
marketing, Total is a key player in the Chemicals sector. in 2006, the Group
produced a total of 2.36 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (mboe/d).
its future growth is underpinned by proven reserves of 11.12 billion barrels
of oil equivalent and a portfolio of assets spanning the key oil and gas
provinces of the globe. leader of the european refining and marketing
segment, Total holds interests in 27 refineries and is operator on 13 of them.
The Group’s retail network numbers more than 16,500 service stations,
mainly in europe and africa.
in the Chemicals sector, Total is one of the world’s foremost integrated
manufacturers, with leading positions in each of its main markets
in europe: Petrochemicals, fertilizers and Specialty Chemicals.
at the fOrefrONt Of exPLOratiON
& PrOduCtiON teChNOLOGy
Total can boast of being one of the most dynamic and successful players
in the global oil industry. Sustaining its momentum through an active
exploration program and state-of-the-art research capabilities and
expertise, the Group operates in a variety of geographical and technical
contexts and pursues the strategic objective of extracting maximum value
from hydrocarbon resources sustainably, with full regard for human safety
and environmental protection.
While seeking to optimize ultimate conventional resources and extend the
life of mature fields, the Group is also a leading exponent of the innovative
technologies required to secure access to future resources. The many
large-scale projects to the Group’s credit have amply demonstrated its
capacity to master the technological and economic challenges of producing
large fields in frontier domains, including high-pressure/high-temperature
fields, extra-heavy oils, production in the deep and ultra-deep offshore,
multiphase transport of effluents, and more. nnn

The 30 giant projects for sustained growth
Geographic and technical
diversification
Proven reserves: more than 12 years
Proven and probable reserves:
more than 20 years
n africa
n north america
n asia
n Europe
n rest of the world
n Extra-heavy oils
n deep/ultra-deep water
n other liquids
n Lng
n other gas projects
Forecast growth
in production
n Extra-heavy oils
n deep/ultra-deep water
n other liquids
n Lng
n other gas projects
* Estimates based on a price of US$60/b in 2007
and US$40/b from 2008.
Photo credits: C. dumont/réa, C. Emmler/L’aif-réa, C. Jouan/J. ruis/Jacana/ghfP, ifremer, Photodisc, o. Zilwa/aP/sipa, dr/total,
m. Labelle, J.-d. Lamy, L. Pascal, o. robinet and L. Zylberman for total – infographics : idé, J.-P. donnot, t. gonzales, total – design-production:
– Printing: Comelli – © total – march 2007.
27

. the KNOW-hOW series
Eight areas of expertise to extend the life
of hydrocarbon resources
TOTAL S.A. Capital stock: 6,062,232,950 euros - 542 051180 RCS Nanterre
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