EVALUATING DEEP-WATER DEVELOPMENT CONCEPTS

This paper provides an overview of the current state of deepwater tech nology. It discusses the major factors that must be considered when ev aluating potential deepwater development concepts, presents proven dee pwater development concepts, and provides insight into the applicabili ty of each. Two unproven ''dry tree'' concepts are presented to illust rate proposed new concepts. Approximate costs are included, leading up to general conclusions with respect to the evaluation process. The fo cus is primarily on the Gulf of Mexico.