**Shell Sanctions Waterflood Project at Vito Field in the Gulf of Mexico**
In a significant move to augment oil recovery in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, Shell Offshore Inc., a subsidiary of Shell plc, has taken the final investment decision on a waterflood project at its Vito asset. This strategic initiative, set to begin in 2027, involves injecting water into the reservoir formation to displace additional oil and enhance production capacity at the Vito field.
Located in four Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) blocks in the Mississippi Canyon, the Vito field was discovered in July 2009. The field is situated over 4,000 feet underwater, approximately 75 miles south of Venice, LA, and has been in production since February 2023. First oil was achieved through the collaborative efforts of Shell (with a 63.11% interest) and Equinor (with a 36.89% interest).
The waterflood project is expected to significantly boost recoverable resource volume by 60 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe). This increase in resource volume is classified as 2P and 2C under the Society of Petroleum Engineers’ Resource Classification System.
Waterflood is a method of secondary recovery where the injected water physically sweeps displaced oil to adjacent production wells, thereby re-pressurizing the reservoir. The project includes drilling three pre-producer water injection wells, which will play a crucial role in maximizing the producing rate of existing wells and enhancing ultimate recovery.
“The benefits of waterflood have been evident as we seek to fill our hubs in the Gulf of Mexico,” said Zoë Yujnovich, Shell Integrated Gas and Upstream Director. “This investment will deliver additional high-margin, lower-carbon barrels from our advantaged upstream business while maximizing our potential from Vito.”
Notably, Shell’s production in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico boasts one of the lowest greenhouse gas intensities in global oil production.