From Placid Oil’s GC29 Floating Production System in 1986 to some of the world’s largest and deepest TLP’s, FPSO’s, Spars and Semisubmersible platforms, the Gulf of America has been an offshore industry pioneer of deepwater floating production platforms, risers, and mooring systems. In the ensuing forty years over sixty platforms have been installed in water depths ranging from 475 m to 9200 m. This session will feature panelists that will address the history and evolution of various elements of deepwater platforms including: a Major Operator, an Independent Operator, Evolution of Mooring systems, Evolution of Riser Systems, Evolution of topside engineering, and Evolution of hull engineering. The session will highlight trailblazing technologies and describe how the industry has adapted to frequent headwinds of fluctuating oil prices and extreme meteorological events to stay the course and find ways to commercially develop deep reservoirs in deep and ultradeep water. It will provide a historical record of some of the remarkable achievements of a resilient and innovative industry.