Shell launches phase II of Parque das Conchas offshore Brazil: Project exceeds production targets

Shell announced on 14 October new investment to support phase II of the prolific deepwater Parque das Conchas (BC-10) project, which lies more than 100 kilometres (62 miles) off the coast of Brazil. This significant investment develops the fourth field in the BC-10 block and continues a successful wave of production growth in Shell’s Upstream Americas business, the company says. The full project delivers an energy resource of approximately 300 MM boe, with production of some 100,000 boe/day.

Phase II includes seven additional development wells, which will reach total depths of approximately 1,100 m (3,600 ft) below the seabed. Production from the first phase of Parque das Conchas is currently above expectations, according to Shell. The field lies in water depths of some 2,000 m (6,500 ft).

“This is another important milestone in our delivery of substantial growth in the Americas,” said Marvin Odum, Upstream Americas Director. “Over the next five years, we’ll see more projects reach critical delivery points in this region such as last month’s announcement of our final investment decision for the Mars B project in the Gulf of Mexico.”

Shell began production from the first phase of Parque das Conchas in 2009 with production from nine wells in three fields – Abalone, Ostra, and Argonauta B-West.

Parque das Conchas was the first full-field development to separate and pump oil and gas from the seabed. Shell’s Perdido Development, in the Gulf of Mexico, was the second.

Electric pumps of 1,500 hp drive the oil up nearly 1,800 m (6,000 ft) to the surface for processing on the Espirito Santo, a floating, production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel. The FPSO has a daily processing capacity of about 100,000 bbl of oil and 50 MM cu ft of natural gas.

Shell, operator of Parque das Conchas, holds a 50% interest. Petrobras (35%) and ONGC (15%) hold the remaining interest.

“Bringing this phase of Parque das Conchas to life represents another proud moment for Shell’s deep-water offshore teams,” Mr Odum added. “The men and women on these teams exude excellence and are backed by a strong legacy of deepwater expertise. We’re all looking forward to continuing our responsible operations in the waters off Brazil.”