1974 Press Photo Exxon Co. USA Subsea Production System on a barge, & drillship

Exxon Co., USA, is installing a prototype subsea oil and gas production system on the floor of the Gulf of Mexico about 27 miles southeast of Grand Isle, LA. Situated in 170 feet of water, Exxon's Submerged Production System will undergo an extensive period of testing as part of a program to develop remotely-controlled, ocean-floor equipment for producing oil and gas from water depths beyond the economic and technical limits of platform production units. Exxon said the project represents more than 300 man-years of research and development and investment of $30 million. The Exxon system is designed to produce petroleum in water depths up to 2000 feet, but will be extended to much deeper waters in the future. During the test off the Louisiana coast, the drillship Glomar Grand Banks will drill three directional wells through the system into an existing field. Oil and gas from the wells will be piped through a subsea separator to nearby production platform in the company's West Delta Block 73 Field.

Photo is dated 1974.

Photo measures 10 x 8.25 inches.