Historical Timeline


After world war 2, the French government has initiated energy comprehensive policies, implemented by the BRP (Bureau of Petroleum Research) and has, for forty years, helped the development of 3 national oil & gas companies: ELF, TOTAL, GAZ DE FRANCE, and supported a competitive and technically innovative supply and services industry; therefore French industrialists have, very early, developed technologies and processes for the hydrocarbon industry.

In the 20's and 30's
Birth of a series of small national companies dedicated to Exploration for oil in France and in French colonies.
Incentives to establish a national refining industry protected by law.
Creation of a national company : COMPAGNIE FRANÇAISE DES PÉTROLES (TOTAL), to manage the French share of the Middle East petroleum production, following the San Remo Treaty.

In the 40's
Creation of GAZ DE FRANCE, for the development of a national distribution gas network.
Creation of INSTITUT FRANÇAIS DU PETROLE (IFP).

In the 50's
Intensive oil exploration in Africa, in the Sahara in particular.
Creation of TECHNIP.
Creation of the GEP, an initiative of several Unions of the French "Fédération de la Mécanique".

In the 60's
Beginning of offshore exploration/production, in Gabon, West Africa, and in the North Sea.
Development of liquefied gas transport technologies.
Creation of a second national oil company, ELF, consolidating various French State shareholdings in exploration, production, refining and marketing.

In the 70's
Development of innovative technologies to produce oil in the North Sea harsh environment.

In the 80's
Development of energy saving technologies and "savoir-faire", for more environmental friendly products, particularly downstream.
After the collapse of oil prices in the mid-80's, a response to the challenge : find and develop new oil and gas fields at the lowest possible cost.

In the 90's
Development of technologies for very deep offshore, accompanying the huge oil discoveries in Angola.