Shell Brasil Takes Final Investment Decision for Gato do Mato Deep-Water Project
RIO DE JANEIRO, March 21, 2025 – Shell Brasil Petróleo Ltda. (Shell Brasil), a subsidiary of Shell plc, has announced that it has taken the Final Investment Decision (FID) for the Gato do Mato project, located in the deep-water area of the Santos Basin, offshore Brazil.
Background
The Gato do Mato project is a pre-salt oil field discovery made by Shell Brasil in 2013. The field is estimated to contain recoverable reserves of around 1.5 billion barrels of oil equivalent (BOE). The project is expected to consist of a floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel, with a production capacity of 150,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) and 12 million cubic meters of natural gas per day. The FPSO will be connected to 14 subsea wells.
Impact on Shell Brasil
The FID marks the start of the engineering, procurement, construction, and installation (EPCI) phase of the project. This decision will create significant economic benefits for Shell Brasil, including job opportunities for the local workforce and the Brazilian economy as a whole. The project is also expected to contribute to Shell’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by using advanced technologies to improve operational efficiency and reduce flare emissions.
Impact on the World
The Gato do Mato project is a major investment in the global energy sector and will contribute to the world’s energy supply. The project is expected to boost Brazil’s oil production, making it the largest oil producer in Latin America and the seventh-largest in the world. This increased production will help to meet the growing global demand for oil and natural gas, which is projected to continue rising in the coming decades.
Technology and Innovation
The Gato do Mato project will utilize advanced technologies to improve operational efficiency and reduce environmental impact. For instance, Shell Brasil will use a new type of FPSO, called the P-78, which is designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 20% compared to traditional FPSOs. The P-78 will also feature a state-of-the-art gas compression system that will enable the recovery and sale of associated natural gas, reducing flare emissions.
Conclusion
The Final Investment Decision for the Gato do Mato project marks a significant milestone for Shell Brasil and the global energy sector. The project will create economic opportunities for the local workforce and the Brazilian economy, contribute to meeting the world’s growing energy demand, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the use of advanced technologies. The project is expected to begin production in 2028 and will be a key contributor to Shell’s strategy of delivering energy sustainably.
- Shell Brasil takes FID for Gato do Mato deep-water project
- Pre-salt discovery in Santos Basin offshore Brazil
- Expected production capacity of 150,000 bpd and 12 million cubic meters of natural gas per day
- Contributes to Brazil’s goal of becoming the largest oil producer in Latin America
- Advanced technologies to improve operational efficiency and reduce environmental impact
